A 70-year-old tradition will be broken this year when the York Municipal Tennis Championships are played on the courts of two private clubs for the first time.

Ever since the tournament was first held in 1928 it has been played on public courts - Rowntree Park, Glen Gardens, Hull Road Park, Scarcroft initially and last year York University Sports Centre in Heslington when courts at the major venue, Rowntree Park, were not considered to be in a good enough state or repair.

After a meeting of committee members and talks with clubs, it has been decided to play the championships at York Lawn Tennis Club (Clifton Park) and Poppleton Tennis Club. They will also be switched from July to August.

York have five carpet courts, plus floodlights, while Poppleton have six Tarmac courts and floodlights.

Floss Slack, chairman of the championships committee said: "After many successful years at Rowntree Park, York's premier tennis event is now on the move. To take advantage of the best competitive courts in the city, the York and Poppleton clubs have kindly agreed to the tournament taking place on their premises from August 21 - 28.

"It is hoped that the link with private clubs will breathe new life into the competition.

"The City of York Council's leisure services department has agreed that the council's trophies can still be presented and have agreed to offer administrative and financial support to the event."

Stephen Ellis, of Wills and Ellis, the Seat car agents, and Ian Tooms, of IT Sports, have offered to continue their sponsorships.

It is also intended to re-name the championships to reflect the change in emphasis and suggestions so far are The York Tennis Championships and The City of York Tennis Championships. Other suggestions are welcome by the championships committee.

Slack added: "We are holding a public meeting in Oaklands School (room 17) on Tuesday, February 2, at 7.30pm when proposed details of the new format will be explained and comments invited.

"We hope that a good cross section of local tennis players will attend and put forward their views to help the tournament get off to a flying start."

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