Cheltenham-based East Glos Club has invested £250K in new padel courts.

The courts opened earlier this month after a five-month build and are the first courts in the South West. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) supported the funding and provided the club with a quick access interest-free loan.

Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Spain has 20,000 courts and four million players. There are currently 82 courts in the UK, with over 400 projected by 2023, accelerated by the LTA's ambitious growth plans.

Padel is easy to pick up and play, with simple rules and scoring system. It is suitable for all ages and abilities and an excellent sport for families and friends to play together.

The East Glos courts will be available for pay and play for the local community.

East Glos worked with Malvern-based Raise Partnership to facilitate funding, planning and supplier selection. Longstanding provider Courtstall Service carried out groundworks, with Padel Tech completing the installation of the three-steel framed and glass walled courts.

Darren Morris, East Glos club manager, said: "As well as providing our tennis and squash members with an additional racket sport, we'll be opening up padel for community and school access, to encourage more people to play.

"We made the bold decision to build three courts at the outset to deliver coaching programmes, competitions, social play and events, as well as capacity for people to play with friends and family."

Guy Heathcote, Padel Tech, said: "Padel Tech is delighted to complete the supply and installation of three padel courts at the prestigious East Glos Club. I am sure club members and the wider community in and around Cheltenham will enjoy many years of padel at East Glos."

Sharon Heeley, LTA head of region for the South and South West, said: "We're delighted to see the fantastic new padel courts at East Glos completed. One of the LTA's key strategies is to find new ways to grow participation.

"Padel is an innovative format of tennis that's fun, flexible and easy to play. So we hope these brilliant new facilities will encourage people to give it a try. There is an exciting future for padel, and we are working to grow it as a complementary form of tennis that benefits our sport as a whole."