Outdated public tennis courts in North Walsham are set for a makeover thanks to a lottery grant of almost �33,000.

The cash will mean scores of talented youngsters and competition-standard players will no longer have to travel to use courts in Cromer or Aylsham.

The two courts, on North Walsham War Memorial Park, are more than 50 years old and are not recognised by the Lawn Tennis Association for competition use as they are 'staggered', with one out of line with the other.

Town clerk Margaret Foster hopes the work, which will take about six weeks, will be finished in time for summer matches. The revamp will include getting rid of the 'stagger', laying an all-weather surface, extending the courts, fitting a gate enabling wheelchair users to play, plus new fencing.

The successful bid to Sport England's Inspired Facilities fund was made by North Walsham Town Council working with Rebecca Matthews, manager of the Griffon Area Partnership.

'This is really going to open up the park to people and is all a part of many good things which are happening in North Walsham,' said Mrs Matthews.

Town mayor Vivienne Uprichard said: 'We are delighted to secure the first Inspired Facilities grant, which will enable us to upgrade the quality of our premises to encourage more people to take up tennis. With the introduction of the Tennis Club Youth Programme, coaching sessions will be held on a regular basis to encourage young people in the area to participate. It is the cornerstone of our strategy to have an outstanding club for the 2012 Olympics' legacy.'

The project is one of 350 local community sports groups who have been offered a total of �17.4 million in Olympic legacy funding through the fund.