TENNIS enthusiast Ralph Harding is not letting his ninety plus years getting in the way of him still enjoying the game.

Mr Harding, who is a member of Devizes Tennis Club, celebrated his 93rd birthday with friends from the regular Monday afternoon session he founded.

He was originally a member of Aldbourne Tennis Club which he joined in 1960 and became chairman, senior chairman and president between 1963 and 2010.

He became chairman of the Swindon and District League Tennis from 1980 - 2001. He has been made a Life Member of Aldbourne and Devizes tennis clubs and received the LTA Meritorious Service Award in 2001, the Wiltshire and Swindon Sports Award for Outstanding Contribution to Wiltshire Sport in 2010 and the Wiltshire Tennis Special Achievement Award for services to Wiltshire Tennis in 2010.

Lucy Bateman from Devizes Tennis Club said: "But by far the most remarkable achievement for Ralph is that he is still playing.

" He is frequently seen on a Monday afternoon ripping up the Devizes tennis courts with his devilish net play. In addition, Ralph still works as a volunteer for the NHS in Devizes and has received more accolades for this than most of us have had hot dinners.

"Many of his friends, the LTA and Devizes Tennis Club gathered in the club hut to toast his very special day with a lavish spread, including bubbly and a birthday cake made by Philomena Plunkett with a heart warming speech by John Yard as well as by Ralph himself.

"Here’s to Ralph - a true inspiration to us all, and to the next 93 years of tennis."