NEXT week will see one of the world's fastest-growing sports arrive in the Cotswolds as Padel takes centre-stage. 

Padel is a squash-tennis hybrid racket sport, which is almost always played as doubles on an enclosed court surrounded by glass and metallic mesh walls.

The court is one third of the size of a tennis court, and also like tennis, the middle net is present and the balls are similar, only slightly softer.

Padel Shift, the leading rural padel operator, is opening a site at Elkstone Studios in the South Cotswolds next week having already opened one at the Club by Bamford in Daylesford.

Padel Shift are urging anyone who wishes to give the game a try to come along to Elkstone Studios from Tuesday April 25 and get on court with Padel Shift Founder, Jack Chaplin and their Head Coach, Jack Hazlewood.

Chaplin said: "After a significant period of planning as the UK’s leading rural padel facility operator, we’re finally ready to start getting players on court and we couldn’t be more excited with our first two locations.

"To be able to welcome all players, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned padel pro, to these unique locations is something we’re hugely proud of. Padel is a sport for people from all walks of life and we’re passionate about getting players on court to experience the fun for themselves."

They are also offering free sessions for two weeks to those who wish to get involved.

Padel can be played either indoors or outdoors and is thought to be played by over 25 million people across more than 90 countries.

Whilst the sport is well established in its heartlands of Spain, Argentina and other nations in Latin America, it is currently on a fast upward trajectory across many European countries and the Middle East including the UK where it is thought to be played by approximately 90,000 people.