After almost 40 years a pensioner says she can no longer play tennis in her town – because nowhere will take her cash.

Juliet Casciano, 80, from Deal, wanted to play her favourite sport at Tides Leisure Centre in Park Avenue as part of her rehabilitation process following her second hip replacement.

But she says she felt discriminated against when she could not pay with her coins and notes.

The keen sportswoman had an operation in March last year, and wanted to get back on the court after seven months of bed rest.

She initially went to Marke Wood Recreation Ground in Walmer, where she played before, but it had “all gone digital”.

The tennis player then tried Tides, but was told she would have to pay with a bank card.

“I have played for near on 40 years in Deal and now suddenly I cannot play anymore,” Ms Casciano said.

“There was a rusty rackets program for people like me who have hurt themselves and wanted to start again.

“It was perfect, but the lady said it was all online and I needed an email address and to sign up via direct debit.

“I do not do any of those things - I am 80 years old.”

Ms Casciano says she has perfectly good cash and does not understand why Tides will not take it.

“I have got hot cash in my pocket and I am longing to spend it,” she added.

“They won’t take a cheque – I know it is old fashioned but it is still good money – but it is not good enough.

“I get migraines when I go online and I find it so difficult.”

Ms Casciano says cash should still be an option in society for those who want to use it, and wrote to her MP Natalie Elphicke on May 2 with her concerns.

She said: “The government promised us years ago that when the internet started they would give us an exit strategy for the older folk to be able to get on without the dreaded internet.

“I need to fight for cash to be kept alive. Cash is our society, it is our way of life and was our way of life for years and years.”

Ms Casciano says the older generations do not want to rely on their children to help them use the web for payments.

“Pensioners need special attention and there must be a way that we can keep cash going,” she said.

Ms Casciano has one bank card but says she will not use it because she would lose track of her spending.

“You have no idea what you have spent and I cannot afford to do it,” she said.

“I am not very rich, and I love living within my means, and with cash I can do that.

“When my cash is gone, I know I cannot spend anymore.

“I cannot even go to a restaurant because they want us to pay with a card.”

Ms Casciano was told she could pay-as-she-plays using a debit card at Tides, but it would be more expensive.

Your Leisure, which runs Tides, remained cashless after the pandemic after noticing improvements, such as ending queues at peak times, and advanced booking systems, a spokesman said.

They added: “Our standard memberships have also required an email address and direct debit payments for some considerable time (about a decade) and allow us to contact customers should we need to in connection to their bookings or membership.

“Your Leisure monitors and periodically reviews all areas of its operation and factors in a wide range of feedback into its decision-making.

“We welcome all our customers to contact us directly to see where we can offer support on a one-to-one basis where feasible.”

Frustrated residents have previously raised concerns over cashless parking in Canterbury, which they described as ageist.

Last April, Canterbury City Council’s rollout of a pay-by-phone service at some of the district’s car parks was criticised, as people could no longer pay at a machine, rather by their mobiles, using an app.