The organiser of the new Gloucestershire Pickleball League was 'blown away' by its launch last night (Wednesday).

More than 60 players turned up to the Oxstalls Sports Centre in Gloucester to take part in the first night's action, following a rush of players of all ages and abilities to enter the league.

Punchline-Gloucester.com is sponsoring the new league with editor Mark Owen among those taking part in the sport which is fast growing in popularity.

Ian Walkley, league director, said: "I'm absolutely blown away by the positivity tonight and the standard of play. The main thing is that everybody is really having fun and enjoying it and there's some fantastic pickleball being played.

Ian added: "It's a team event. We've got all ages and genders. We are all here together playing the same game. We have three games in an evening for each team. In each game they will play four matches - ladies, men's and two mixed games and that will produce a league table.

"We have three divisions and in about three weeks' time the league will even out and the best teams will be in division one but every division will have trophies to play for.

"I also want to thank Punchline for supporting this event."

Mark Owen, who played in the Pickleball Pirates team, said: "It was great fun. It keeps you super fit for all ages. It's the first pickleball league in Gloucestershire. There were some really great teams there last night."