THE LAWN Tennis Association (LTA) has indicated that it is not prepared to fund the expansion of the fire-ravaged Batchwood Tennis Centre.

Despite positive talks with the district council which had led to optimism that the LTA would fund additional courts at the centre, Tuesday’s meeting of cabinet heard that the LTA had contacted head of community services Richard Shwe to say they would not be prepared to pay to expand the facility.

Afterwards council leader, Cllr Julian Daly, said they were trying to get to the bottom of why, despite several constructive meetings with the LTA, they had decided not to fund additional courts at the facility.

He said it was not clear at this stage whether or not it was a final decision and the council’s chief executive Daniel Goodwin was trying to speak to the LTA.

The tennis centre together with the bowls and golf clubhouses at Batchwood were destroyed by fire in an arson attack last August.