YOUNG tennis aces from around the country gathered at South Ribble Tennis Centre, Bamber Bridge at the weekend at the Bowker North of England Junior Tennis Championships .

The centre was taken over by more than 500 budding Anna Kournikovas and Tim Henmans hoping to court success.

Chris Llewellyn of Lappet Street, Cottam, was runner up the under 16s event. In a tense final he was beaten by the championship's number two seed Bobby Brook.

A pupil at Broughton High School, Chris, 15, played one match a day last week before reaching the final on Sunday.

He said: "I'm still in good form. I've been working on a new fitness programme which aims to build up stability, strength and endurance so I am confident I can do well in the future."

Chris is set on a career in tennis and will be heading off to Wimbledon this year to watch his heroes and pick up a few tips.

Joe Dewhurst from Fulwood won the Mens Under 21s event.