RAYLEIGH Lawn Tennis Club chiefs are stepping up their fight to get floodlights installed.

The Watchfield Lane club had their application for floodlighting to illuminate their courts rejected by Rochford District Council.

Councillors turned the plan down after planning officers received objections to the scheme from householders living near to the club.

But the club’s committee has decided to appeal to a panel of independent planners against the council’s decision to veto lights on two courts.

“Without the lights there's no doubt that many youngsters who I currently coach will miss out on their tennis altogether in the winter months as it won’t be possible to find enough daylight hours to cater for them all,” said Rayleigh tennis professional and coach Ryan Wilson.

“I’ve got in my possession some of the letters written to the council, some against and some in favour, and I’m amazed at suggestions in some of those against that we’re using the problem of children losing their tennis as a smokescreen to hide the fact that it’s the adult members who will benefit more.

“Nothing could be further from the truth.”

Wilson has started a petition to back the club’s bid to get lit-up and has already obtained more than 100 signatures, with 50 coming from junior players.