Budding teenage tennis stars from the Southampton area have a good summer to look forward to.

Players aged 15 to 18 years defied wet conditions to take part in the first of a series of competitions which are being staged over the coming months.

Organiser Adrian Keen is aiming to plug a gap and provide more competition for older teenagers.

He said: "There is a lack of competition for that age group.

"The Hampshire LTA provide a full programme for under-14s, under-12s and under-10s but the under-18s down to 15-year-olds have virtually no organised free play opportunities."

He is aiming to stage competitions once a fortnight and is hoping to repeat the success the first contest on Saturday at Southampton Sports Centre.

Even thick rain clouds failed to put a damper on the event as 12 youngsters took to the courts to compete in a minimum of three matches each.

Aaron Keen beat number one seed George Pugh (4-2, 3-5, 10-8 in tie break) to win the boys' competition. Grant Stevenson won the consolation prize and the good sportsmanship award went to Ed Baber.

In the girls' round robin contest, Lucy Armstrong was the best player with three wins. Stephanie Freer was best improver and 12-year-old Olivia Snow - the youngest player on the day - got the rising star award.

"The whole concept has been approved by David Savage, the county development officer for Hampshire," added Keen.

"His support has been invaluable and without which none of this could have happened.

"I'm trying to offer something for the kids who are scratching around the sports centre and walk past and see people having a good time playing tennis and want to join in."