BUDDING Andy Murrays and Johanna Kontas have the chance to learn new skills by taking part in a national tennis campaign.

The Tennis for Kids scheme has been designed by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), to increase participation in the sport.

The LTA have invested £1 million into the project, setting a target to get 20,000 new youngsters playing, and have gained the support of a number of high-profile people in British tennis, including Davis Cup captain Leon Smith, Greg Rusedski and Paralympic silver medalist and Wimbledon wheelchair doubles winner Alfie Hewett.

Curtis Austin, who recently passed his LTA level three coaching qualification, will be running free six-week courses at Kirby Tennis Club.

It is for children aged five to eight and is designed for youngsters that have never played tennis before.

Children that attend the whole six-week course will receive a free racket to encourage them to continue playing.

Two courses are being held at Kirby - one starting on Sunday, April 23 (10.30am until 11.30am) and the other on Tuesday, April 25 (6pm until 7pm).

To sign up and register, visit www.lta.org.uk/SignUpKids or contact Austin via curtis@cdatenniscoaching.co.uk or by calling 07870 763836.

Meanwhile, Austin is also about to launch a new free ten-week course for female players over the age of 16, as part of the This Girl Can campaign.

This is a nationwide campaign to get women and girls moving, regardless of shape, size and ability.

Times are still to be confirmed, but the courses will run both at Kirby and Clacton Leisure Centre, in the week commencing April 28.

For more information, use the contact information above or visit www.thisgirlcan.co.uk