ANGRY tennis players have hit out at plans to scrap the courts at Abbey Meadows to improve leisure facilities around the swimming pool.

Earlier this year the district council unveiled a new vision for the popular area on the bank of the River Thames.

Plans set out how about £615,000 would provide new play areas, picnic benches and a multi-use games area.

Last month, Vale of White Horse District Council leader Matthew Barber said extra cash would be used to replace the open-air pool.

But council spokeswoman Natalie Ellis also confirmed the scheme would replace the tennis courts, crazy golf and pitch and putt with the multi-use games area and some adventure play equipment for over-10s.

Tennis fan Nick Marsh, a marketing consultant from south Abingdon, who often uses the pay-and-play courts with his son Zeb, 13, said he was disappointed the two courts were being ripped up as part of the proposals, along with the crazy golf.

He said: "With Andy Murray winning Wimbledon and Olympic gold, the demand for courts in Abingdon is only going to increase.

"I know the council is trying to improve the facilities at Abbey Meadows but this seems like a missed opportunity and a backward step.

"The Vale council is sacrificing a good amenity and there is surely enough room to build some new courts in a slightly different location nearby.

"It's a poor decision to take away these courts. We paid to be keyholders for six months in the summer so we could play when we wanted, as long as there wasn't anyone else using the courts.

"There are really good tennis courts at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Audlett Drive but they are not in the town centre."

Mr Marsh urged the council to consider building new courts at Abbey Meadows as part of the revamp.

Abingdon Town Council leader Mike Badcock said: "Abingdon is a very good town for tennis and as well as the leisure centre there are lots of courts at Abingdon Tennis Club in South Abingdon.

"Lots of youngsters play tennis at school, and I think the facilities replacing the courts will get a lot more use by a lot more people.

"Times change and the kind of leisure activities that people enjoy change as well. We never thought the water fountains at Abbey Meadows would be so popular."

Abingdon Tennis Club president Jim Eastwood said there were six courts at Southern Town Park in Lambrick Way, with plans for two more.

He added: "We always welcome new members and people who have played at Abbey Meadows are welcome to join."

The Abbey Meadows courts are only open from April to September and cost £5.80 per hour.

Charlotte Dickson, the Vale's cabinet member for leisure, said she was unaware of the proposal to remove the tennis courts.