MEMBERS of Wollaston Lawn Tennis Club in Stourbridge are among the first in the country to pick up their rackets and get back on the court with the easing of lockdown restrictions.

The club, off Prestwood Drive, Stourton, has laid down strict social distancing rules to help keep members safe after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced some outdoor sports, including tennis, can now go ahead as part of an easing of a softening of measures put in place amid the coronavirus crisis.

Raring to go nearly two months after COVID-19 restrictions forced them to lay down their rackets, members have been able to start booking slots on the club’s eight courts from today (Wednesday May 13).

Boris Johnson – himself a keen tennis player – announced on Sunday that certain outdoor sports, also including golf, could start to go ahead again from this week - provided people play with members of their own family or one other person from a different household.

That means non-family members can play singles tennis together provided they keep at least two metres apart at all times.

Wollaston Tennis Club chairman Alan Hughes said: “The easing of lockdown restrictions is a breath of fresh air for our members, who have really missed playing our favourite sport.

“They were champing at the bit to get back on court. But we are very conscious of the need to keep everyone safe, so we have issued guidance to our members to follow strictly the rules laid down by the government.

“To ensure people can come to the club without overcrowding we have implemented a booking system and our new rules include that people cannot go inside the clubhouse and nobody should play if they have symptoms of COVID-19.

“We have introduced a system of playing that means it is quite simple for people to keep their distance from each other while still enjoying their favourite sport and we are reinforcing advice about hand-washing or sanitising before and after playing.”

Mr Hughes and his wife, Heather, were among the first members back on court today, playing singles against each other.

The Harris family from Kingswinford – mum Lorna, aged 46, dad Anthony, aged 48, and children Annabelle, aged 17, and Joseph, aged 12 – have been dusting off their rackets to play together on Saturday.

Mrs Harris said: “We have been trying to keep fit in our garden, with regular boot camps and walks in the local area. We have really missed our Saturday afternoon tennis mix-ins. But we are delighted now to return to the tennis courts at Wollaston and are grateful that all four of us are able to play as a family.”