EVERGREEN pop star and tennis fanatic Sir Cliff Richard is leading a drive to encourage more children in Bolton to play the sport.

Sir Cliff has set up a nationwide Tennis Trail, and Bolton is the second stop on the tour.

The star will not visit Bolton himself but members of his team will be in town on Monday to work with children in primary schools.

Bolton's visit follows recent media reports that more children are suffering with anorexia and diabetes at younger ages. Experts claim that physical activity can help to offset these disorders.

Sir Cliff said: "Over the past 11 years I have been amazed and delighted that the Trail could have such a strong impact on the lives of so many children.

"When we first started we wanted to help introduce the game to children. Now we have realised that the programme has done much more."

A team of tennis and fitness professionals will go into the 10 Bolton primary schools. The charity donates tennis equipment to each school and also provides the funds for a follow on coaching programme organised in association with the Wirral Tennis and Sports Centre.

The tour will call at the following schools: Sacred Heart in Westhoughton, Markland Hill, Devonshire Road Primary, Blackrod Primary, Chorley New Road Primary, Clevelands Preparatory School, St Thomas of Canterbury, St Catherine's, Beaumont and Horwich Parish.

More details are availble from the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation website to be found at: www.cliffrichardtennis.org.