Tennis ace Xavier Malisse served up some top tennis skills at Seashell Trust.

The former world top 20 ranked player visited the disabled students at the Cheadle Hulme charity before revealing former Wimbledon champions Kim Clijsters and Marion Bartoli will be competing in the prestigious Boodles Tennis at The Mere.

The three-day tournament at The Mere Golf Resort & Spa, near Knutsford from June 21-23 is this year in support of Seashell Trust.

The trust is a national centre of excellence in the care and education of children and young people with profound learning and physical disabilities. It works with them and their families to help them find ways to communicate and live to their full potential.

Rachel McCrystal, from Seashell Trust, said: “We are delighted to be the beneficiary charity of the 2017 Boodles at Mere tournament – this will be a fantastic opportunity for us to launch our Transforming Lives Appeal to a whole new audience and for our students to be part of a fabulous event.”

After the launch at chief event sponsor Boodles’ King Street store in Manchester, tournament director Vicky Collins said: “There’s so much to look forward to this year. For the first time, we will hold a ‘true ladies day’ as Kim Clijsters and Marion Bartoli will feature at the Mere.

“And we also have favourites Xavier and Goran Ivanisevic returning along with other legends of the sport in attendance over the three days, who will entertain and mix with the crowds.”

Buy tickets here or call 0207 384 4877.