Blackburn junior tennis player George Hutchings was put through his paces as he took part in the Lawn Tennis Association’s national Talent ID Finals at Nottingham Tennis Centre.

The 10-year-old, who is on the LTA’s AEGON FutureStars programme, was one of 100 youngsters invited to the session at the Nottingham Tennis Centre after progressing through county and regional Talent ID days to make the final week.

George showed off his skills in front of the LTA Talent ID team who were aiming to spot future performance players, who even at such an early age were displaying the right attributes that could enable them to make a real impact on the game.

George, who attends St Mary’s Osbaldeston school, said: “Talent ID is a great day, it helps me improve my skills and the exercises are always fun. The coaches made it enjoyable and I get to play against some of the best players in the country.”

The day was overseen by LTA head of talent management, Andrew Lewandowski, who was impressed by what he saw: “George has performed really well and shown lots of ability across a number of different tasks testing qualities including athletic ability, coordination, speed and agility and a real natural talent and love for the sport,” said Lewandowski.

“It was fantastic to see so many enthusiastic and talented players give it their all.”

Funding is offered to players selected from the national Talent ID weeks and the LTA continue to monitor those players competitive level in an on-going process.

Players attending the national Talent ID days may also be asked to attend national camps at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton depending upon progress development and performance in competition throughout the year.