The Annual Ilkley Open Tennis Tournament got underway this week but Tuesday and Wednesday's play was dogged by rain. Games moved to the club's indoor courts.

Tennis fans have however had the opportunity to watch top class tennis once again.

The tournament is sponsored by OHS and Skipton Building Society with the tour event sponsored by Hastings Direct.

Weather permitting, there will be plenty of tennis of the highest standard to view on the grass courts with the finals being held on Saturday.

BBC weatherman Paul Hudson will be a guest on Saturday helping to hand out the trophies.

Again there is no entry charge this year and anyone interested in watching tennis of the highest quality is welcome at the club.

Spectators are able to watch all levels of tennis with the highlight being The British Tour men's and ladies' singles and doubles attracting the top up and coming British players.

A full range of junior events is also being held and Ilkley is recognised as one of the strongest junior events in the country.

The veterans' events attract top vets players from around UK while the handicap events are very popular with club members and local players.

As always there is some local interest. Ilkley member Sam Horrix, holder of the Under-12 title, is seeded 2 in this years Under-12 event and seeded 8 in the Under-14 event.

He has reached the last 16 of the Under-14 event and is in the quarter-finals of the Under-12 event.

Ben Murray-Potts seeded 3 and Kyle Brassington are progressing in the Under-16 event having reached the quarter-finals.

In the handicap events Becky Bourden has reached the final of the mixed doubles with R Brown while Ilkley coach Simon Ickringill has waltzed his way to the semi-finals of the veterans' over-0 45 singles and looks favourite to win the title.

In the Hastings Tour men's singles No 1 seed Richard Bloomfield, the winner at Ilkley last year, has just come into play while in the ladies' No 1 seed C Holmewood looks a good bet along with last year's winner Louisa Cowper. There are a number of other Ilkley juniors in various events.

In the evening singles Martin Parkes has a good chance.

l Play starts at 10am each day and matches continue until dusk.