A sports club boss says a £400,000 revamp of facilities is a “do or die” attempt to attract new members.

Frindsbury Lawn Tennis Club has seen its membership halve in the last seven years, leading to concerns for its future viability.

Chairman Darren Marshall says the business, which is near Upnor in Medway, has faced fierce competition from rival Avenue Tennis in Gillingham.

Now in a move to attract new people, the club is set to tear up its grass courts to make way for padel tennis.

This is a form of the game originating in Mexico in the 1960s which was then brought to Spain in the 1970s and has grown in popularity since.

It’s a combination of tennis and squash played on a smaller court surrounded by walls the ball is allowed to bounce off and be returned.

Mr Marshall said: “Long and short of it, Avenue opened up with new facilities so people drifted up there.

“We used to have 130 to 140 members on our books now it is more like 55 to 60.

“The club is surviving as such at the moment so we are looking at ways to get more people involved.

“Something has to happen to keep the club running; it is kind of do or die.”

The club currently has three lawn courts but they will be converted into six padel pitches with floodlighting. It also has seven hard courts.

Mr Marshall added: “We had our courts and general grass areas cut the other day and it comes to about £600 monthly.

“They are a major cost of what we spend and can only be used five months of the year.

“I was brought up playing on grass but they need to be of a certain standard to enjoy properly.

“Padel is such a growing sport and availability is much wanted.”

Although the changes will cost around £400,000, it is hoped the investment will ultimately bring in more members.

Working with Mr Marshall, Nigel Occleshaw - who has built padel courts in Essex with his company Thorndon Leisure Limited - hopes to begin work by June.

He said: “We know there is a lot of demand in the area. It is particularly popular and addictive.

“We know there has been planning permission to build some courts at the Chatham Dockside but we think we can set ours up a quicker.

“It will look and feel different too, being more of a club.”

There are padel courts in Kent at the Holiday Extras in Hythe, Wye Tennis Club near Ashford, and Tonbridge Golf Course.

Planning permission has also been granted for courts at Marden Tennis Club and Chatham Dockside.

The courts at Frindsbury will be on a pay-to-use basis with club membership giving discounted rates.

To be a member currently costs £220 - giving people full access to all of its facilities and amenities, including a clubhouse and social events.

There will be an extra charge for floodlight tokens if someone wishes to play in later hours.

Without any lawn courts left, the club plans to change its name to Frindsbury TPC (tennis and padel club).