Padel courts to open in city park

All-year-round padel courts are to be built in a city's park.

Planning permission has been granted for the new purpose-built facility at Willen Lake in Milton Keynes.

Six courts are due to open later this year, four of which will be under cover with two open-air ones.

Robert Wood, executive director at Willen Lake, said the area was created to bring "people together through activity, nature and shared experiences".

Wood added: "Partnering with UK Padel allows us to introduce an exciting new sport in a way that feels open, welcoming and accessible."

Willen Lake said that as the sport was growing in popularity, it would give "people in and around Milton Keynes a new and exciting way to get active, social and try something different in a familiar outdoor setting".

Padel courts look similar to tennis courts but are a third of the size.

The sport has millions of players worldwide, has the same scoring conventions as lawn tennis. Players use solid racquets without strings and serving is done underarm.

The courts are enclosed and, like in squash, players can bounce the ball off the walls.

Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.