A BOLTON tennis duo have beaten off more than 2,000 rivals to win the prestigious British Women's Tennis Association Masters competition.

Sally Howell and Jane Kehoe played the finals at Wimbledon and came out on top against the pairing that have won the title for the past four years.

"That made it a little bit special for us because that team, Jane Green and Lynn Hunt from Chesham, have dominated the competition in the last four years we have entered.

"Last year we got through to the semi-finals but this time we went one step further, reached the final and beat the reigning champions.

"We were delighted."

Sally, who comes from Over Hulton, and Jane, who lives in Edgworth, play their tennis at Markland Hill, Bolton, but only come together for this competition.

"We both play our matches with different partners but for some reason we always seem to do well when we team up for this event, " said Sally.