WEM Tennis Club has picked up two prestigious gongs after it was was named the best in Shropshire in the annual Lawn Tennis Association Awards.

The impressive efforts of the north Shropshire club saw Wem receive the prestigious award at Tennis Shropshire’s annual general meeting held at The Shrewsbury Club.

Shropshire awards were also presented to Wem's Peter Hughes (volunteer of the year), Taylor Youens (young person of the year) Craig Sherratt (development coach of the year), Adam Wharf (performance coach of the year) and the Battle of Shropshire (competition of the year).

Certificates were presented to the winners by Tennis Shropshire president Keith Smith.

The county winners from across England will now go forward to the regional awards, with the regional winners then progressing to the national LTA Tennis Awards alongside winners from Tennis Wales and Tennis Scotland.

Tennis Shropshire chairman Fiona Jones said: “Congratulations to all our county winners and to everyone nominated for this year’s awards.

“We are fortunate in Shropshire to have so many wonderful clubs that depend so much on the dedication and support of inspirational volunteers.

“There are so many hard-working people involved with tennis in the county and it is fantastic that their efforts attract such well deserved recognition.

“We wish our Shropshire winners well as they progress to the regional stage of the LTA Tennis Awards."

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Wem have been particularly busy in recent years, with the club's three courts resurfaced while they also have a new clubhouse.

Praised as an excellent facility, both for club members and the community, the club has established partnerships with local organisations, including schools and a youth club.

A spokesman added: "Adult membership at Wem has doubled, with two club nights now run each week well attended, as well as offering a number of successful junior and adult coaching sessions.

"Wem’s focus for 2022 includes exciting plans to run a Wem Open tournament.

"Wem Tennis Club also provided the winner of the Shropshire volunteer of the year award, which was presented to Peter Hughes, the club’s chair.

"Having played a key role in Wem’s significant development project, Peter took on a number of jobs to ensure its successful delivery.

"A regular player at Wem, Peter has organised fundraising events, social events and club nights throughout the year.

"He has served on the committee for many years and contributes so much in terms of developing and maintaining Wem's great facilities for members and the community."