TENNIS enthusiasts in Shropshire have been asked to help celebrate the sport's unsung heroes.

Tennis Shropshire has urged people to place their votes for outstanding individuals and venues in the regional rounds of this year's British Tennis Awards.

Sarah Downes, the awards co-ordinator for Tennis Shropshire, said: "Thousands of people enjoy playing tennis thanks to the efforts of so many dedicated volunteers, so we are once again pleased to offer this opportunity to recognise their invaluable contribution.

"We are very proud of the clubs and various organisations which offer tennis programmes throughout Shropshire.

"Being recognised through the British Tennis Awards means so much to the people who win, so think of someone you know - someone who has encouraged, motivated, inspired or supported you in the past year.

"You can nominate them by completing an online form which only takes a few minutes. It is really easy and is a fantastic way to brighten up someone's day."

Shropshire nominations can be made in 10 categories: Volunteer; Young Volunteer; Coach; Club award; Community Venue; Education; Disability ; Official; Competition and the Lifetime Achievement award.

Two of Shropshire's British Tennis Awards county winners from 2017 were also recognised further afield as they went through to the next stage to scoop prestigious regional prizes.

Tennis Shropshire’s Fun Competitions, organised by county vice-chairman Simon Jones, was selected as the winner of the Competition of the Year for the Midlands.

Monkmoor Recreation Ground in Shrewsbury - led by Josh Price, manager of the tennis programme there - was named as the region’s Community Venue of the Year.

The winners of this year’s regional awards will progress to the national stages, with the overall category winners presented with their prizes at next summer’s Wimbledon Championships.

The closing date for Shropshire entries is Saturday, October 13 and they can be submitted at https://www.lta.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/british-tennis-awards/

For more information, contact Sarah Downes at sarah.tennisshropshire@gmail.com