SPORTS centres across the borough are hoping a new programme of fun and friendly courses will draw badminton players back on to the court.

Leisure centres will host a series of Back2Badminton coaching courses for players of all abilities next month.

The four-week courses will cost £12 per person. They are open to anyone aged 16 or over and no previous experience is necessary.

Sessions will take place at the Northgate Arena, Chester, on Mondays from 2-3pm and at Frodsham Leisure Centre on Fridays from 8-9pm.

These will be followed by the launch of No Strings Badminton classes, including in Ellesmere Port, offering players of all ages and abilities with a guaranteed playing partner each week.

Alison Lysons, Badminton England regional officer for Cheshire, said: “No Strings Badminton has been created to help overcome barriers to participation and enable more people to get involved.

“If you don’t want to commit to a club membership or you don’t have a playing partner, No Strings is just the thing to get you playing the great game of badminton.”

Badminton England is also seeking voluntary No Strings co-ordinators, with a basic knowledge of the sport, to help out at sessions in Ellesmere Port, Chester and Frodsham. They are required for sessions at the Epic, Ellesmere Port, on Mondays from 1-3pm, Tuesdays from 10-11am, Thursdays from 10-11am and Friday from 1-3pm; at Frodsham Leisure Centre on Fridays from 8-9pm; and at the Northgate Arena on Mondays from 2-4pm.

For more details, email Alison at alisonlysons@badmintonengland.co.uk or call 07901 005314.