Six tennis and four padel courts are being installed as part of Brighton and Hove City Council’s Hove Beach Park development. The park, not open to the public yet, will stretch from Hove Lagoon to the King Alfred Leisure Centre when completed.

The project, mostly funded by the government’s Levelling Up Fund, aims to regenerate underused and run-down facilities and green spaces on the seafront.

Hove residents were perturbed to see a digger ripping up the newly laid courts.

Councillor Julie Cattell, Brighton and Hove City Council’s policy lead for major projects, said: “Unfortunately, after the initial build we identified some issues with the playing surface which need to be resolved by the contractor.

“We want our residents to enjoy the highest-quality facilities and after consulting with the Lawn Tennis Association, there were elements which needed improvement. This will be paid for by the contractor, not the council.

 “Work has now begun and residents will be able to start enjoying these fantastic new courts before the end of the year.”

Brighton and Hove City Council selected Game4Padel, the UK’s leading padel company, to operate the facility which will have six tennis and four padel courts.