Tennis players turning up at their local courts after Boris Johnson said games could go ahead have been left disappointed - after the council took the nets away.

Regulars at Memorial Park, Herne Bay, had hoped to take advantage of the latest government advice that people can exercise outdoors as much as they like.

But Canterbury City Council has removed the nets and closed the courts - because it does not have the manpower to establish a booking system and to clean the courts after each session.

Eddington resident Dawn Rose says a number of tennis players in Herne Bay have been left "incensed".

After finding the courts shut last Wednesday, the retired 54-year-old said: “They’ve been very well used by small children, elderly people and the regulars having lots of fun.

“Then suddenly last week people arrived at the courts and there’s no nets and a sign saying they’re closed. It’s absolutely mad.

“I’m disappointed with the way they’ve taken it upon themselves to do this."

Guidance published by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) says online or phone bookings systems should be operated "where at all possible" and that net winders should be removed.

Ms Rose added: “There’s a group of regulars who are willing to volunteer to clean and administer any booking system the council want.

“This is important we all know that good health is important for combatting coronavirus.

“The government are re-iterating the importance of people getting out – and then Canterbury City Council decide that’s something they’re going to take it away.”

A handful of aggrieved residents also took to social media to question the need for the council to clean the courts. Others, though, praised the move, stating that it makes “perfect sense”.

Local authority spokesman Rob Davies says it made the decision to close the facilities as it has “a duty of care to the people using them”.

“Government guidance states it is subject to ‘those responsible for public places being able to put appropriate measures in place to follow the new Covid-19 secure guidance’,” he explained.

“In addition, further guidance from the LTA requires a booking system to be in place.

“We do not have the staffing resources to set this up and cannot provide the cleaning of the courts and nets between each individual session that would be needed to be sure we can keep people safe.

“We recognise this will disappoint people, and we're sorry about that, but it's a matter of public health and we're sure everyone will understand that at this difficult time.”

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