At the age of 88 most people would feel energetic if they walked to the local newsagent - but Myrtle Kendal is made of somewhat sterner stuff.

She is never happier than when in action on the tennis court.

Myrtle, of Beech Road, Harrogate, has been playing the game regularly, come rain or shine, since she was 16. Her only problem is finding people willing to take her on.

"I love the game and I have done since I was very young, although I must admit I'm not as fast as I once was," she said.

"I had thought briefly about giving it up, but once I had a racket in my hand again I knew I just couldn't.

"I hope to keep on playing for as long as I possibly can. It's a good way to stay fit."

Off court, too, Myrtle shows no signs of letting up and only recently passed her advanced driving test after complaining about the standards of some elderly motorists.

But, despite her fitness, she is very stuck in her tennis ways - and continues to serve in the under-arm style that was considered ladylike back in the 1920s.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.