WITH the French Open in full swing and Wimbledon on the horizon, it will soon be that time of year when families across the UK dig out their tennis racquets and dream of lifting the championship trophy amid dodgy McEnroe impressions and demands for 'Hawkeye' intervention.

For many families, though, tennis is more than a two or three week fad every summer, it is their way of engaging in fun, healthy activities together all year round.

The social aspect of involvement in a tennis club is at least as significant as the sport element, and the Barry Tennis Club offers a wide range of opportunities to get involved with off-court activities that the whole family can enjoy.

The clubhouse can host birthday parties for all ages, with the option of including on court games and activities as part of the celebrations; parents can enjoy socialising with other members while youngsters take part in a selection of structured coaching sessions or informal matchplay; children can watch TV or play games together in the clubhouse while the grown-ups enjoy sessions such as CardioTennis or TennisXpress; together parents and children can take part in some of the fun on court sessions or simply enjoy a knock on the courts, and adults and children alike may get the opportunity to take part in team matches involving visits to other clubs and the development of a team spirit and good friendships.

A club spokeswoman said: "However serious you or your children are about playing the sport of tennis, there really is something to appeal to everyone at Barry Tennis Club, whether on court or off, and a packed summer of fun is just about to begin."

To find out more follow the club on Facebook or Twitter, call in to the Barry Island clubhouse or give Penny a call on 07816 311263.