A budding Tim Henman has won free coaching sessions in a regional competition to find Yorkshire's biggest tennis fan.

Nine-year-old Gareth Webb, from Malton, is now in with a chance of winning the national final to then win the major prize of coaching sessions from a professional.

Proud mum Jayne Webb says tennis-mad Gareth won the competition by describing his interest in the game to the judges.

She said: "It was organised by the Lawn Tennis Association and yoghurt firm Yoplait.

"Gareth was asked to write in saying why he liked tennis.

"He wrote in saying he liked watching the game and that when he was older he wanted to be like Tim Henman.

"But he said he wanted to win more games."

Gareth is a member of Malton Tennis Club and he also practices every week at an indoor club based in Leeds.

"He started knocking a ball about with a racket when he was three and started playing tennis when he was six," said a delighted Mrs Webb.

"Come rain, or shine ,he is out there on the court practising with the other members of Malton Tennis Club.

"During the winter they go out there in the wind and rain.

"They've even scraped snow off the court so they can practice."