THE elitist image of tennis was dealt an overhead smash by David Lloyd Leisure last week when they staged a tournament for inner-city kids.

More than 100 children from five Southampton schools took part in the South and Southern Area Tournament held at the health club's Frogmore Lane complex in Southampton.

They took on pupils from schools at Hordle Walhampton, Lymington, and Meon Cross, Fareham, in mini-tennis and tennis events for children aged between seven and ten.

The Newlands Junior School boys' team won the mini-tennis competition for years two and three, while Shirley Warren Primary School girls' team and the Holy Family Roman Catholic Primary School mixed team were victorious in the same event.

Other Southampton schools taking part were Fairisle Infant School and St John's Infant School.

The tournament was part of an ongoing programme by David Lloyd Leisure to try and promote tennis in inner-city areas of Southampton, including Millbrook, Redbridge, Bevois Town, St Johns and East Park.

Tennis development officer Alison Beard said that the aim was to make the sport accessible to children in schools across the city.

"It was an exhausting event to organise, but very enjoyable," she said. "The enthusiasm that these kids have for tennis is amazing.

"Many of the schoolchildren had to walk to the club to take part, but they didn't mind.

"Their teachers have also been very supportive and the interest is certainly growing.

"Inner-city tennis in Southampton is taking off," she added.

The schools taking part in the competition have all been on the Cliff Richard Tennis Trail with David Lloyd Leisure - a scheme which provides 20 hours of coaching in each school.

After-school tennis clubs have also been set-up and there are other coaching sessions costing between £1 and £2 taking place around the city.

This weekend a squad of children from Millbrook and Bitterne is travelling to Liverpool to compete for a trip to New York in a national inner-city tournament.

More tennis trails for seven to 13-year-olds are also due to take place in Southampton schools later in the year.