A former world top 10 squash player has signed up for this weekend’s annual doubles tournament at East Glos in Cheltenham.

Laurens Anjema, from Holland, will pair up with Cheltenham’s Nathan Lake, a current world top 50 ranked player, and not surprisingly they will be the number one seeds for the tournament.

“That’s a pretty strong pairing,” said Tom Ford, who is organising the tournament for a fifth year, having resurrected it in 2014. “Laurens is an ex-world number nine and only stopped playing top-level squash a couple of years ago while Nathan is now ranked number 49. Laurens is flying in especially for the tournament.”

Ford has teamed up with his pal Mark Broekman and there is also a pretty strong ladies’ pairing in the form of Haley Mendez and Lucy Beecroft.

“Haley is from America and is ranked 43 in the world,” added Ford, “and Lucy is a top English junior who is looking to go professional.”

A total of 25 pairs have entered the tournament and they will be competing for prize money in excess of £2,500.

And while the competition will obviously be good, Ford has organised plenty more besides including offering junior players in the county the chance to have a hit with the professionals on Saturday from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

There are still some slots available and Ford added: ”Any youngsters wanting to take part should contact me and book a time.”

And on the Sunday at 3pm there will be ‘An Introduction to Yoga’ session at the club with Nikki Kingston.

“It’s aimed at beginners and costs £3,” said Ford. “It will take place between the semi-finals and final of the squash.”

Any youngster wanting a hit with the professionals on Saturday should call Ford on 07805 307937 or email tomfordsquash@gmail.com to book a time.

As for the tournament itself, Ford said: “Anyone is welcome to come along and watch.”