The initiative, which is being led by the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust and The Tennis Foundation, will see the specialist chairs delivered to 13 tennis venues in the UK to help those inspired by the Paralympic Games to take up the sport in their local area with access to free equipment.

Norfolk, who carried the Union Jack flag at the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony, admitted he was particularly happy to be involved as he is an ambassador for the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust and his company - Equipment for the Physically Challenged - is their official wheelchair supplier.

"I'm delighted to help launch this initiative as the more wheelchairs we have for new players to try out the sport, the easier it will be able to grow the game both for players who just want to have fun and stay fit, as well as to find future Paralympic champions," said Norfolk.

"The great thing about tennis is that it's a completely inclusive sport and disabled people can take part in any tennis activity or modify it to suit them."

Lapthorne, who made his Paralympic debut at this summer's Games, added he was hopeful the new chairs would help allow more wheelchair tennis players to take up the sport.

"Hopefully we'll see more disabled people going along to their local tennis court to enjoy the sport as a result of this initiative and the work undertaken by the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust and the Tennis Foundation," said Lapthorne.

"I started playing tennis on my local park courts and these chairs are perfect for those either just starting out in the sport or for those wanting to develop their skills on court and improve their game."

Andy Lapthorne tries out new chair on the tennis court

Executive director of the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, Gilly English, outlined the importance of the project.

"We know there are more than 20,000 people with a disability playing tennis at least once a week around the UK," said English.

"There is a huge opportunity to increase this figure and we hope that specialist equipment provided for free as part of this national initiative will encourage more people to try wheelchair tennis."

Executive director of The Tennis Foundation Geoff Newton added: "Building on the momentum from the Olympic and Paralympic Games, this initiative is just one of a number of ways we will continue to support tennis people and venues to enable more people to play the game."

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