FROM his wheelchair, ten-year-old Marcus stretches his racket high up into the air and swiftly smashes the on-coming tennis ball over the net and past his opponent - pretty nifty going for someone with brittle bones.

Marcus is one of ten budding young tennis stars taking part in the second of a three-day course being held at Great Missenden Lawn Tennis Club and organised specifically for children with special needs and disabilities. I have been asked to come along on a gloriously hot afternoon to watch the players, some standing, some sitting in wheelchairs as they happily knock about in the fresh open air.

This small group of children have disabilities from cerebral palsy to autism. Not that this is going to stop any of them. Edging onto the court, I tactfully watch proceedings from the safety of the baseline, as bright yellow balls shoot at top speed from the students' rackets. They are practising smashes and from the looks of things, the majority have certainly got the hang of it. Each child is being fed the ball by a volunteer coach, who, as I watch, are good-naturedly attempting to avoid their partner's high-powered returns. The age range of the children is eight to 13, some standing, some sitting in wheelchairs, but each smiling happily and having a good time.

The course is one of the first of its kind in the area and has been organised with the help of Anita Templar, Chairman of Horizon Sports Club which holds regular term-time sessions in gymnastics, athletics, swimming and tennis for young people with disabilities. Many of the children taking part are members of Horizon, although the course is not exclusive to the club.

"We wanted something for the children to do in the summer," explains Anita.

"It is not easy to find a venue, so it was great when the club at Great Missenden offered its facilities. We are always on the look-out for as many outlets as possible for the children when the term finishes."

Horizon already holds indoor classes at the Bucks Tennis Centre at Cressex School in High Wycombe but were looking to move the concept from inside to the outdoors where the children could enjoy more space and fresh air.

As well as just being plain and simple fun, the children get numerous other benefits from the course. Playing tennis helps improve strength and coordination.

Wendy Free, one of the mothers, is watching activities from the clubhouse. Her 10-year-old son Marcus is taking part in the course.

"I was watching him just now and he has learnt to manoeuvre his wheelchair whilst carrying something in his other hand which he hasn't been able to do before Ð it was quite nifty," says Wendy proudly.

Nifty is certainly the word as I watch Marcus zooming across the court on his wheels with a wicked grin on his face.

William Tolcher is 11-years-old and has dyspraxia (an impairment in the control of the motor system). His mother, Linda, tells me that, even though he recently broke his leg on holiday, he insisted on coming along to the course, even if it was just to watch.

"He was looking forward to it so much that he was determined to come even with his leg in plaster," she explains.

"He has been throwing and catching balls which is quite difficult for him, so it is good practice."

Gaining confidence is another important factor. Amanda Price's son Thomas is 11years old and has right-sided hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body, usually as the result of injury to the brain). This is their first visit to an event like this and she can already see the benefits.

"Thomas is really enjoying it," Amanda tells me. "It is wonderful to give him an opportunity to be equal. At school, he can sometimes feel a bit sorry for himself, especially as he is getting older and noticing that he is different from the other children. Here, everyone is the same.

"It is also good for me, as it is a chance to meet other parents and swap hospital experiences."

In addition to smashes, the students practise hitting the target of an upturned bucket and the next day will start playing proper matches.

Annie Lewis Marffy is a director and producer for the BBC and has recently qualified as a tennis coach at the club. She is the brains behind today's course.

"I was horrified when I learnt that there was nothing in the holidays for these kids to do," she explains to me while busily pouring out numerous cups of orange squash for the thirsty tennis players.

"I have even heard of cases of some special needs children who attend mainstream schools that are not even allowed to run as they may bump into another child and the staff are scared the other child will sue. It seems criminal that they aren't allowed to run. I have three children and all they want to do is run.

"This course is all about giving the children an activity to do in the holidays and getting them out into the sunshine. This is the first club in the area ever to run a course like this and we hope it will be the start of many. We hope to expand it to run at Easter and Christmas as well."

Annie tells me she is hoping to attract other clubs to hold similar courses and to draw more children from the catchment area to take part.

"Some of the kids here had never picked up a racket before in their lives but they are really getting the hang of it now and having a great time," says Annie, before running off to dodge some more high-speed smashes.

The tennis course costs £15 for three days of one and a half hour sessions each day. Anyone interested in getting involved or taking part in future courses, call Annie on 07771 984414. To find out more about Horizon Sports Club should call Anita Templar on 01844 345432.