Local tennis star Samuel Hutt recently made the quarter-finals of the prestigious AEGON Winter Grand Prix Masters in the 16 and under category.

In the last eight he lost to Scott Clayton 6-4, 6-1.

Hutt, 15, from Swindon was invited to play at the pinnacle of the winter British Tennis season tournament by the Lawn Tennis Association following an impressive run of form at national level competitions over the last few months.

Fourth seed Hutt won his first round match against Joshua Page in three sets 6-4, 6-7, 6-4.

However, he was then defeated in the quarter-finals by Scott Clayton 6-4, 6-1.

Top seed Jonathan Cornish won in the final against Jack Findel-Hawkins 7-6, 6-4, to pick up the coveted AEGON Winter Masters trophy.

Steven Martens, player-director of the LTA, was quick to praise the calibre of the players involved in the competition this year.

He said: “The 16 and under AEGON Masters brings together the best boys and girls in the country, who have been playing in this national Grand Prix circuit throughout the winter.”

Roger Draper, chief executive of the LTA, believes the event is helping nurture home talent.

He said: “British tennis is committed to creating and improving competitive opportunities for players of all ages and abilities.

“The AEGON Winter Grand Prix Masters is a great example of this.”