A PETITION supporting tennis coaches who claim they were driven from Paddington Recreation Ground has attracted hundreds of signatures. Bradley Roberts, Eduardo Caffarena and Nicolas Marinopouos, pictured, have been backed by 300 residents and tennis play

A PETITION supporting tennis coaches who claim they were driven from Paddington Recreation Ground has attracted hundreds of signatures.

Bradley Roberts, Eduardo Caffarena and Nicolas Marinopouos, pictured, have been backed by 300 residents and tennis players in their ongoing battle against council bosses.

The three coaches claim they were excluded from the Maida Vale sports ground when they refused to accept a contract requiring them to surrender their client lists to a new head coach.

They also claim Westminster gave them an ultimatum to sign the contract or pay a monthly court rental fee of £1,000 - increased from £86.

The council denied these allegations and hit back saying the rent hikes were only made after the coaches refused to reduce their fees for low-income families. Mr Roberts, who is leading the fight, said: "It's a public statement saying 300 people are upset at not being able to get a coach of their choice at Paddington Rec and that's quite a substantial number.

"We hope the message gets to the council that we have a lot of support."

The petition was handed to Westminster by leader of the Labour group, Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg, at a meeting of the full council last Wednesday (October 29).

He said: "Westminster's high-handed and incomprehensible action means that three excellent tennis coaches have been forced out of Paddington Rec, despite them having the support of local residents and tennis players.

"There should be a full inquiry to explain this disgraceful situation.