A tennis and squash club in Bexley has announced the launch of new padel courts.

Bexley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club will unveil four new floodlit padel courts later this month.

The courts were made possible by a Quick Access Loan from the LTA Tennis Foundation.

Neil Smith, chairman of Bexley Tennis Club, and Nick Riley, chairman of Bexley Cricket Club, said: "Without the funding provided by the LTA Tennis Foundation, this project would never have happened.

"We are proud of what we have achieved and the partnership we have formed between a tennis and cricket club."

The padel courts are part of a joint venture with Bexley Cricket Club.

The tennis club required space to expand its facilities and therefore partnered with the cricket club to convert two unplayable tennis courts on the cricket club's grounds into padel courts.

The tennis club submitted the loan application on behalf of both clubs, and the project is now nearing completion.

The new courts will be accessible to both club members and the general public. Members of the tennis and cricket clubs will have the option to add padel to their membership, and there will also be padel-only memberships.

Non-members can use the courts through the LTA's Pay and Play scheme, making them open to the local community.

An open day is scheduled for November 17 from 11am to 4pm, allowing residents to experience padel firsthand.

Attendees will be able to take part in a taster session with a padel coach, receive an assessment to find matching players or join a friendly game.

The launch aligns with the LTA Tennis Foundation's goal of increasing accessibility to tennis and padel.

As part of the loan agreement, a community outreach programme has been included to encourage more participation from the wider community.

In addition to the padel courts, Bexley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club will open its existing tennis courts for Pay and Play access, providing more opportunities for the community to get involved in both sports.

Sophie Curthoys, LTA investment manager, said: "Clubs and venues are more than just a place to play tennis or padel; they are a community.

"The Quick Access Loan Scheme is a great way for us to increase the number of people playing tennis and padel and help ensure long-term sustainability for the venue and its members."

The LTA's Quick Access Loan Scheme, which has invested £13.2 million in 114 projects since 2019, supports clubs and venues nationwide.

This includes the development of tennis and padel courts, as well as floodlight installations.