York Tennis Club are to spend in the region of £30,000 on five outdoor carpet courts at Clifton Park after recent floods damaging the existing courts beyond repair.

It is hoped that the new Playsite surface made by a Halifax company, who built the existing courts six years ago, will be open to members early in the new year.

Club members were told of the problem, and subsequent negotiations, at the annual meeting where chairman John Linfoot and club captain Rosemary Livsey were made honorary life members for the work they had undertaken in the last two decades.

Linfoot, a founder member in 1965, said: "It's a great honour for us both. There's a lot of hard work to do, but I wouldn't do it unless I enjoyed it."

Mrs Livsey said: "This has come as a big surprise to me. I've been a bit of jack of all trades, just trying to help where I can."

Of the problems caused by the floods chairman Linfoot added: "Two clubs, Wigginton and Poppleton, have offered our members playing facilities over the winter because of our difficulties, and we are very appreciate of their help."

sport@ycp.co.uk