A LOCAL college is helping youngsters with ambitions to be the next Emma Raducanu or Andy Murray to mix with professionals in a special event next month.

The World Tennis Tour returns to the region in February when The Shrewsbury Club plays host to the International Tennis Federation M25.

Taking place from Monday, February 7, to Saturday, February 12, the prestigious men’s tournament will feature rising British and overseas professional players.

But on Tuesday, February 8, it’s the turn of the youngsters when a fun event sponsored by Ellesmere College and concrete-block manufacturers Besblock will allow juniors to watch the professionals and take part in a range of tennis-based activities including a chance to ‘Beat the Pro’.

Besblock managing director Andrew Huxley said: “We are incredibly excited to be involved in another tennis event at The Shrewsbury Club after a successful week in November for the UK Pro League Finals.

“We’re huge supporters of local sport and think events like this are vital for budding sports stars to gain confidence and enjoy everything professional sport has to offer.”

Dave Courteen, managing director of The Shrewsbury Club said: “We want to thank Besblock for their incredible generosity sponsoring this much-anticipated event.

“Shrewsbury has been holding tennis events for the past 15 years and it is only because of the support we get from businesses like Besblock that this has been possible.

“The Besblock Pro-Am event was hugely successful in November and a great day for all the young tennis stars who took part.

“We’re excited to give junior players across the region another chance to have a fun-filled family day out while practicing their sport and meeting professional players.”

Tickets, which include a street food style hot dog, cost £10 per person or £25 for a family ticket and can be bought from worldtennistourshrewsbury.com