Jason Manford launches padel academy for children

Comedian and self-confessed "padel addict" Jason Manford has set himself the target of introducing one million children to the game over the next 10 years.

He said he began playing padel, the world's fastest-growing sport, in Spain and fell in love with it.

Padel, which is a cross between tennis and squash, has been growing in popularity in recent years and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) estimates there are currently about 800 courts and more than 400,000 players in Britain.

Manford is working as an ambassador for the LTA and has set up the JM Padel Academy to make the sport more accessible to children from all backgrounds.

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