Gordon, 86, urges more people to take up the joys of tennis

At 86-years-old Gordon Moores still plays tennis twice a week in Shropshire – and now he's urging people of all ages to pick up a racket ahead of the second Great British Tennis Weekend of the year.

Gordon, a popular member at his local club, Market Drayton, insists there's never been a better time to try your hand at tennis and he's fully behind the Lawn Tennis Association initiative which sees clubs all over the country open their doors to offer free tennis on three weekends in 2015.

A number of county clubs are taking part in the process this weekend, backed locally by Tennis Shropshire, with rackets and balls provided while coaches are also on hand to give a warm welcome and a word of advice to help newcomers on their way.

"I've been playing tennis since my early teens, so it's probably about 73 years now and I enjoy it more than ever," said Gordon, who celebrated his 86th birthday last week and is a big admirer of British ace Andy Murray .

"Don't be afraid to have a go," he added. "There's plenty of people around who are willing to help and give advice. The main principle is to keep your eye on the ball and then you will pick up the strokes.

"Tennis is a great way of keeping fit and having regular exercise. There's also great comradeship with the people you play with as tennis players are a really good crowd to mix with.

"I still play twice a week, always for an hour and a half, often two hours if it goes to a third set. There's a number of veterans at Market Drayton Tennis Club, so we tend to play matches together – and we always play to win!"

Gordon's own club, Market Drayton, are one of a host of Shropshire venues to have signed up for this weekend's fun with tennis activities on offer for young children who may never have picked up a racket before right the way through to adult coaching.

Familes also have the chance to play together while cardio tennis is also available at several venues designed to really get the heart pumping.

Cathie Sabin, the Lawn Tennis Association president who lives in Shropshire, hopes plenty of local people will take advantage of the free tennis on offer.

She said: "Tennis is a game for all the family and one to be played all together, no matter what your age. Fun and friendship are real drivers behind the game and I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to either try the game for the first time or perhaps return to the game after a gap of a few years.

"The coaches and volunteers around the county will make everyone welcome."

To book a slot at the participating local clubs, visit www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/OpenDays/ where you can quickly find your local club and see what activities are available.

Saturday sees free tennis on offer at The Shrewsbury Club (1-3pm), High Ercall Tennis Club (9.30am-1pm), Telford Tennis Centre at Oakengates (9am-3.30pm) and Bridgnorth Tennis Club (9.30am-3.30pm).

Then on Sunday it's the turn of Wem Tennis Club (12.30-4pm), Newport's Boughey Gardens (2-5pm), Telford Community Tennis Club (10am-2pm), Hinstock Lawn Tennis Club (10.30am-2.30pm), Ludlow Castle Tennis Club (1.30-4.30pm) and Market Drayton Tennis Club (10am-4pm).

Bob Kerr, the vice-chairman of Tennis Shropshire, stressed officials are always trying to persuade more people to give the sport a go with their recent Tennis in the Park event at Attingham Park a big hit.

He added: "The Great British Tennis Weekends are a venture now in its third year, where clubs across the county and across the country, open their doors and encourage people to get involved. Tennis is now probably one of the most inclusive sports and there are facilities for people to play for literally no cost at all.”

Pictured: Gordon Moores – still plays tennis twice a week at the age of 86.