Bad weather has been blamed for delays to restorations at a north-east town’s tennis courts, sparking fears they may not be ready for the busy Wimbledon season.
Specialist resurfacing work began at the Fraserburgh site in September last year.
The job, which involves the installation of a new non-slip surface, was scheduled to finish during the spring.
However, project leaders now say that since April they have not had enough consecutive days of decent weather to finish the work.
The delay was last night condemned as unacceptable by local councillor Ian Tait.
He said: “I simply do not accept that there have not been two dry days together. It rains all over Scotland, so this excuse does not stand up.
“We are already in June and it is just not right that with Wimbledon coming up, local people and particularly youngsters should not have the use of these courts.”
Building firm Hunter Construction was commissioned by the council to carry out the resurfacing work.
The first phase of the plan was completed in September, but a specialist sub-contracter is needed for the finishing touches.
Last night, council landscape services manager Graham Wall said: “The resurfacing of the tennis courts is specialist work which needs to be carried out in the optimum conditions to ensure the new surface is of the very best quality and can be used by all for years to come.”
A local authority spokeswoman added: “We understand the frustration that people may have when the surface cannot be used, however this has to be installed correctly.
“We and our installers will not compromise the quality of the finished surface by surfacing during conditions that are not suitable.”