BRITISH tennis has at last regained some pride - and while Tim Henman's Wimbledon feats have put him at the top of the tree, some of the country' brightest hopes for the future come from Burnley and Pendle.

One of them is 15-year-old John Chesworth. He has a hectic schedule of tournaments lined up this summer, including the big Ilkley tournament later this month.

The West Yorkshire event attracts some top names and all the up-and-coming youngsters. Last year it showcased the talents of another of Britain's best, Luke Milligan, who was beaten by Henman last week.

John, of Beauley Avenue, Simonstone, is also playing at tournaments in Cheltenham (July 15), Torquay (August 5), Bournemouth (August 12), and at the Lancashire County Closed Championships from August 26 to 31.

John, who has playing for five years, has already won the Lancashire title once and been runner-up twice. But this year is his first in the under-16 category, and the competition is getting tougher.

The Clitheroe Grammar School pupil told the Citizen he was enjoying his tennis, without too much worry about what the future holds. He said: "Becoming a professional is a bit too far off at the moment, so I'm not really thinking about that."

John receives training from a top team, the Gleeson Bessent Junior Tennis Squad, and is also playing in the county cup this year.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.