PENARTH'S very own Wimbledon star has been displaying the tennis dress she wore at the prestigious tournament at a local tea rooms.

During Wimbledon fortnight the Victoria Tea Rooms on Cornerswell Road had a tennis theme as it displayed the special tennis dress loaned by Penarth resident Elizabeth James (nee Ernest).

Liz is the only Penarth woman alive who played at Wimbledon and she wore this particular dress in 1969.

It was designed by Teddy Tinling to commemorate the Investiture of Prince Charles at Caernarfon Castle that year.

Liz competed in six Wimbledon tournaments between 1954 and 1971, with her best results including reaching the second round of the Singles in 1970 and 1971, the second round of the Doubles in 1953, and the third round of the Mixed Doubles in 1971.

Whilst wearing the 1969 tennis dress she reached the first round of the singles and doubles, and the second round of the Mixed Doubles.

Liz still takes a close interest in tennis and is Ladies Captain at Windsor Lawn Tennis Club in Larkwood Avenue, Penarth.

The club was formed in 1914 so is celebrating its centenary this year.

Playing at Wimbledon is in the family genes as Liz's mother, Barbara Ernest, played at Wimbledon for two years including the Coronation Year. Christine Teasdale, proprietor of the Victoria Tea Room, and she said that she was very grateful to Liz for the loan of her very special Wimbledon dress and said that it certainly helped keep the tennis theme going in the tea rooms.