A SCHOOLBOY who stepped in to play tennis against former Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade after his twin sister was injured almost missed the game himself -- through injury.

Tennis fan Gabrielle Gaynor, aged 12, who played for Lancashire in the Robinson's Aces Tournament in Preston, won the chance of playing against the tennis legend in a Bolton Evening News competition.

Just days before the big day she broke a bone in her foot and the opportunity passed to her brother Lucas.

But he also almost missed out when he was hit in the face with a tennis racquet.

Luckily for Bolton School pupil Lucas, who has been playing tennis for four years, he recovered in time to play with Miss Wade and talented Ormskirk tennis player Barry Cowan at the Bolton Arena in Middlebrook on Saturday, before the National Tennis Championships took place.

Twelve-year-old Lucas and his cousin Daniel Caulfield, aged 15, another keen tennis player, worked with the tennis stars on their serving, backhand and volleying skills before taking part in some mini matches, along with competition winners from all over the country, of various ages and skills.

Miss Wade, who won the Wimbledon title 25 years ago, said: "The standard of these players is really fantastic. I've not really had to teach them anything."

She praised many of the boys' shots and offered useful tips on how they could improve their game.

She also found the time to commiserate with Rivington and Blackrod School pupil Gabrielle, who was watching from the sidelines. Barry Cowan, ranked as the number three tennis player in Britain, made headlines when he played against and narrowly lost to Pete Sampras in the 2001 Wimbledon championships.

He said: "I think it's great that the children are being encouraged to play tennis. I think if you can play tennis you can play all sports.

"Today we are just going through all the shots and we will give them a few pointers. Hopefully they will have improved by the end of the day." During her distinguished tennis career, Miss Wade was the British Singles Champion at Wimbledon, and also won the Australian and US Open. These days she plays in the Masters at Wimbledon, commentates on matches, and spends a lot of time in the USA.

She was at the Bolton Arena as part of her role as ambassador at Hastings Direct, the National Tennis Championships sponsors, and later in the day presented the singles prizes in the championships.

Lucas said: "It was fantastic to be able to play tennis with Virginia Wade. I got to have a few shots with her which was brilliant -- she was really nice.

"I started playing tennis when I was younger because there is a club near my house but I have become quite good and would like to play professionally in the future."