Extra police for 'Wimbledon-on-Sea' tournament

This year will be the 49th Hunstanton Tennis Week for organiser Chris Holt

Organisers of a tennis tournament said they hoped the game would take centre stage after anti-social behaviour and underage drinking blighted last year's event.

Hunstanton Lawn Tennis Week, which is officially accredited by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), will see hundreds descend on the Norfolk resort on 18 August.

Competitors aged between eight and 80 will take part in the week-long event which habitually starts on the third weekend of August.

The tournament has led to the seaside town, which has a population of 4,200, being nicknamed "Wimbledon-on-Sea".

'Sympathy for locals'

Organiser Chris Holt, who has attended the Tennis Week for 49 years, said everyone taking part had been warned to respect people who live in the town during the tournament.

"I do have sympathy, yes, for the residents," he said.

"I know what they expect each year and I think, what can I do to limit their worries? Anyone caught misbehaving can be banned from the site."

Insp Ben Jarvis says behaviour has improved since the troubled event in 2022

Norfolk Police said officers had been speaking to shop and pub staff ahead of the event and there would be a significant police presence this year.

Insp Ben Jarvis warned visitors not to let celebrations get out of hand.

"Just remember you're in a community which doesn't see this sort of thing all the time," he said.

"It certainly doesn't see disorder often, if ever. So please just be sensible."