YOUNGSTERS in the Wharfedale area will have the chance in the coming week to both view world class stars in racket sports and have the opportunity to play themselves.

Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club is hosting a week of events which kick off tomorrow, Friday, when the Ilkley Men's Open BSPA Squash Tournament gets underway.

This event is part of the Prince Grand Prix and will bring some of the country's top stars to Ilkley.

The Prince Grand Prix was set up in 1992 to allow the professional squash players based in this country to compete on the world stage. It has been firmly established as a crucial stepping stone for the up and coming youngsters of this country.

Ilkley is very lucky to have 14 of the top ranked 200 players in the world coming to play, especially James Willstrop and Adrian Grant who are both ranked in the world's top 20.

Willstrop from Pontefract is the English No 4 and World No 13. He is seeded No 1 for this tournament and his action starts on Friday when he takes on the winner of the preliminary round between Bannister and Pearson at 12.45 pm.

No 2 seed Adrian Grant from London will step on court at 1.30 pm.

Locals will be rooting for Ilkley coach Ben Rickaby who is a wild card entry. Ben has organised the event and it will be the last time locals get to see him for some time as he is taking up a coaching appointment in the Middle East.

The professional squash tournament will run from Friday (10 am to 1 pm for the first round and 4 pm to 8 pm for the last 16). The quarter-finals will take place on Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm with the semi-finals also on Saturday from 4-8 pm. The final will take place on Sunday from 2-4 pm.

A charity fitness challenge will take place all weekend while another charity event - a Junior Superstars - will take place on Monday, April 5, between 9 am and 5 pm.

Each day next week youngsters will be able to take part in racket sports tasters with squash on Tuesday (10 am to noon), racketball on Tuesday (noon to 2 pm) and table tennis on Wednesday (10 am to noon).

There will also be demonstrations of these sports by top class players such as Sally Shutt and Stephen Denny for table tennis and Neil Guirey for racketball. Table tennis exhibition matches will be played on Saturday from noon to 2 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm with a racketball exhibition on Sunday from 1-2 pm.

There will also be fitness demonstrations on Saturday from 2-3 pm.

Any enquiries can be made at the club on 01943 607182.