 The tennis championships are held at Devonshire Park every June |
Seaweed is being used to ensure the grass tennis courts in Eastbourne are in prime condition for the women's pre-Wimbledon tournament. But according to the town's borough council the resort's beaches are so clean the seaweed extract has to be imported.
The extract is being used to cultivate the grass in preparation for the Hastings Direct International Tennis Championships which will take place from 14 to 21 June at Devonshire Park.
The seaweed is said to contain nitrogen, phosphates and potassium which strengthens the grass.
'Premium strength'
Eastbourne Borough Council cabinet spokesman for culture, Mike Thompson, said: ""The seaweed extract is a special ingredient which ensures our championship grass is at premium strength to ensure excellent conditions for the world's best tennis champions.
"Eastbourne's fantastic beaches, two of which have won national Seaside Awards for beach cleanliness and water quality, rarely see much seaweed.
"As a result we are having to import the extract from elsewhere in the country."
Among the players due to take part in the competition are Anna Kournikova, Chanda Rubin and Jennifer Capriati.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
