The boom in British tennis seems to have taken hold in Medway with sports fans rushing to join a new £8m tennis centre.

Avenue Tennis in Gillingham, the first facility of its kind in the county, does not officially open until the end of March but people have already signed up to become members.

They may have been inspired by world number one Sir Andy Murray and top 10 women’s player Jo Konta, in what has been described as the best 12 months for British tennis since the sport turned professional.

Avenue Tennis chairman Colin Jarvis said: “We opened the doors for the first time for people to have a look and we have been flooded with people each day.

"We have signed so many people up already, which has taken us a bit by surprise, but when you have a look around the facility, you can see there isn’t anything near that would compare.”

Mr Jarvis, founder and chairman of MEMS generator hire, which sponsors Gillingham FC, is a keen player and owns Avenue Lawn Tennis Club in Gillingham, which is open May to September.

He said: “I have been playing tennis since I was 15, among other sports. I got back involved in the existing Avenue Tennis 15 years ago.

“They asked me to get involved because it was a dying little club. I took it over and invested and we made it successful.

“We had youngsters train there all the time and I could see there was a need for all children in Medway to have the opportunity to play tennis.

“We have now got this fabulous facility, with coaches in place to train children for the future.”

There are 17 indoor and outdoor courts with a variety of surfaces that can be used all year round.

There are “red” tennis courts for children aged three to nine and “orange” courts for older children. The centre is employing three full time and three part time coaches.

Spread over four acres, the facility also has a gym with all the latest equipment, health suite, badminton courts, fitness class studios, function rooms, restaurant and bar.

The club offers tennis only membership from £25 which includes outdoor tennis, indoor badminton and table tennis plus use of the health suite.

The platinum membership includes all the above plus full gym use and exercise classes from £50 a month. There are discounts for joint memberships.

Gym only membership is also available from £40 a month.

Visit www.avenuetennis.co.uk to find out more.