FOR the first time next week more than 1,500 pupils at Forest primary schools are being targeted by top coaches from the Cliff Richard Tennis Trail to see if they are a potential Greg Rusedski or Martina Hingis.

For the largest grass-roots tennis initiative in the UK is to visit 11 of the area's schools from June 12-16.

During the visits coaches will assess the potential athletic and tennis skills of children aged 5-11.

Each school will be receiving valuable equipment, teachers' resource packs and follow-on coaching programmes to continue making tennis part of the curriculum.

Any child showing potential will be invited to join a special coaching squad funded by the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation.

Those showing real potential to play at county standard or higher will join the current 35 UK trailblazers of the scheme.

The school visits are being sponsored by Direct Line Insurance and the Lawn Tennis Association.

Sir Cliff, who takes a keen interest in the Tennis Trail, said: "Greg Rusedski is a fantastic role model and he and Tim Henman have proved beyond doubt that the talent exists in the UK to challenge the best players in the world.

"That's why I believe that the work we are doing at grass roots level is so crucial.

"If we catch them young and keep them motivated, children will discover a game that they can enjoy throughout their lives – and one or two very special ones might make it all the way to the top."

The programme for the visits is: Monday June 12 – Lydbrook Primary, 9.05am-11.35am; Woodside Primary, 1pm-3.30pm; Tuesday June 13 – St John's Primary, Coleford, 9am-11.30am; Ellwood CP, 1pm-3.30pm; Wednesday, June 14 – St White's Primary, Cinderford, 9am-noon; Newnham Primary, 1pm-3.30pm; Thursday June 15 – Ruardean C of E, 9.10am-10.40am; Redbrook C of E, 11.40am-12.40am (session in village hall); Pillowell Primary, 2.15pm-3.45pm; Friday June 16 – Forest View Primary, Cinderford, 9am-noon; Soudley CP, 1pm-2.30pm.