Tennis players in Elmbridge may have to pay a £5 charge to play a match on the borough's courts after councillors led discussions on reintroducing match fees.

Plans to introduce the £5 per court, per hour levy was discussed at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, January 11.

A £4.50 fee to use the court was lifted in 2004 due to the collection of money costing more than was being earnt through the levy.

Players will be asked to sign up as a member on the council's website, and will receive a code to scan on new electronic gates at the courts, which will be installed with the help of a £25,000 cash injection from the Lawn Tennis Association.

A household membership for up to five people will cost £36 a year, with concessionary rates costing £2.50 per court, per hour.

World number one tennis champion Andy Murray lives in Oxshott, near one of the borough's 29 tennis courts at the Cobham Recreation Ground.

Councillor Janet Turner, portfolio holder for leisure and culture, said: "This is a very very exciting time we have been held bac because of collection of fees to play on these courts.

"Now with the modernisation of technology this has become considerably easier.

"We don't have to ask people to stand around waiting for money or to open courts, it's all good modern technology that is going to be used and I think we have to cash in on this and take it forward.

"Being supported by the Lawn Tennis Association I think is an absolute plus for us really.

"Not only do we have Andy Murray living in our ward we're going to get on with the tennis as well."

The proposal will be decided by the full council at their next meeting on February 22.