THE future of Weston Tennis Club is now 'at serious risk' after an order from North Somerset Council forcing it to shut down its floodlights. The council's decision to ban the lights, as a result of a complaint by a local resident about light pollution,

THE future of Weston Tennis Club is now 'at serious risk' after an order from North Somerset Council forcing it to shut down its floodlights. The council's decision to ban the lights, as a result of a complaint by a local resident about light pollution, means players cannot use the courts after dusk. Chairman Trevor Carter now has to decide whether or not to appeal against the council's decision using club money set aside for future development alongside an investment by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). The (LTA) has promised the club £100,000 which will go towards four new all-weather courts, new floodlights and a specialist junior court.The club has already spent £1,000 trying to fix the lighting problem and plans for upgrading the club's facilities have been sent to the council and subject to approval work will begin in July. Last week the Weston & Somerset Mercury reported members were not renewing their subscriptions due to uncertainty over the club's future.Mr Carter said: "The issue appears to be with just one neighbour, most other neighbours support us and prefer living next to a tennis club rather than wasteland or a block of flats."Bob Wilson, a club member for 27 years, is also unhappy that the actions of one individual might be enough to close the club for good.The 64-year-old, of Selbourne Road, Weston, said: 'There are now very real concerns for the club's future - if we cannot get planning permission for the new development then people at the club might begin to look elsewhere."Mr Carter added: "We want to appeal against this decision but I do not think the LTA will give us legal representation which could prove costly."The council's executive member for strategic planning and transport, John Crockford-Hawley, said: "We are in trouble if we do not enforce the ban but we know by doing so this will harm the tennis club. "We are going to be wrong whatever we do but we have no choice but to comply with the law.