HAMPSHIRE'S biggest floodlit tennis facility has unveiled plans to increase the number of courts by 50 per cent.

The nationally renowned Totton and Eling Tennis Centre has devised a £200,000 scheme to build another four courts to meet soaring demand.

The current complex, which is next door to Hanger Farm Arts Centre, was opened at the end of 2004 at a cost of £750,000.

In the past two years staff have visited 22 schools in the Totton and Waterside area and given tuition to all Year 2 and Year 3 pupils. They have also introduced more than 100 adult beginners to the sport.

Now, the centre is hoping to increase the number of courts from eight to 12.

The facility is run by Serving Tennis, a private management company that leases the three-quarters-of-an-acre site from the town council.

Richard Cutler, one of the directors, said: "We're already the biggest floodlit tennis facility in Hampshire and an extra four courts will result in a facility that's really quite amazing.

"We're hoping the council will give us the land and help us through the planning process.

"If that's successful we stand a very good chance of attracting funding from the Lawn Tennis Association, which is very much behind us."

Serving Tennis is hoping that the association will provide a "significant proportion" of the cost. The company is also bidding to secure grants and sponsorship from private companies.

Mr Cutler added: "It's a fantastic community facility used by hundreds of people every year.

"People have completely open access to the centre. You don't have to be a member and can do everything on a pay-to-play basis.

"The facility has been held up nationally as an example of how things can be done."

Plans to build another four courts are due to be debated by members of the council's amenities committee at their next meeting on January 24.

Council chairman David Harrison said: "The authority is very excited by these proposals. The existing courts are extremely well used."