Town to get new courts for 'hugely popular' sport

Padel is a popular racquet sport which combines elements of tennis and squash

People in a Somerset town will soon be able to play padel at two new sites, as the sport grows in popularity.

Padel originates from Mexico and is a racquet sport which combines elements of tennis and squash. It is played on an enclosed court about a third of the size of a tennis court.

Queen's College in Taunton has received planning permission to install six padel courts. New courts are also set to open at the nearby Blackbrook Leisure Centre on 26 October.

Tom Bell, director of Sport at Queen's, said padel was a "brilliant sport for building teamwork, confidence, and fitness".

Construction work at the Queen's site will begin in December, with company Smash Padel saying it is working towards an opening date in April.

Both pupils and members of the public will be able to use the courts at Queen's, the school said.

The three new courts opening at the Blackbrook Leisure Centre will be run by Padel Stars.

Andy Knee, who works for the company, said padel was "a really easy sport to learn".

He added it was great for socialising, as well as exercise, as the sport was played in doubles on a smaller court than tennis.

"There's a lot of chat and laughter during and after points," he said.