The eight are members of Cramlington Community Tennis Programme led by head coach Phil Barron.

Phil has coached John Boden, 12, since he was five years old and is now ranked tenth in the country for the 12 and under boys' category.

He is also number one in Northumberland for his age group.

He won every National Ariel Indoor tournament he entered and followed this up by winning the Waverley and Northumberland Grand Prix.

Also coached by Phil since the age of seven are Emma Wilson, 11, and Dominic Thompson, ten.

Emma won the Gateshead Open 12 and under girls' category without dropping a set.

Dominic was selected to play the number one boy representing Northumberland at the Boys' 10 and Under County Cup.

The other academy members are Kasulta Gurung Amelia Dickinson, Jessica Laws, Cormac Lunn and Peter Musgrove.

"We are really proud of the dedication shown by the young players at CCTP," said Phil.

"Tennis is available for all levels of ability and to both children and adults.

"We have classes here for everyone from the complete novice to the more advanced player.

"Whether it's competitions, tournaments, group coaching sessions or one-to-one coaching, CCTP has something for everyone.

"We are really keen to encourage an interest in tennis within Cramlington.

"It is great fun at any level and we feel there is a wealth of talent within Northumberland.

"The CCTP has been granted £8,600 by the Big Lottery Fund which has enabled us to recruit coach Grant Watson to join the CCTP team to help us encourage and develop the expansion of tennis in local schools, in the programme and in the area."

Anyone interested in further information should contact head coach Phil Barron on 07711 479026 or Grant Watson on 07921 078198.