LONDON (AFP) - The Andy Murray effect has helped British tennis to win a lucrative new sponsorship deal that will result in a revamp for the pre-Wimbledon tournaments at Queen's, Eastbourne and Birmingham.

The five-year 2009-13 sponsorship deal with finance group AEGON, believed to be worth in the region of 25 million pounds, comes on the back of Murray's run to the US Open final earlier this month.

Laura Robson's victory in the girls' singles at Wimbledon in July has also raised hopes that Britain could soon have a leading player in the women's game.

Roger Draper, the chief executive of governing body the Lawn Tennis Association, said: "I really believe this is an exciting time for British tennis. At the top end of the game we are seeing some signs of success. We have a very long way to go but it is going in the right direction."

The sponsorship money is to be split between grassroots tennis schemes, specialist work with young talent and increased promotion for professional tournaments in Britain, which will include the end-of-season Masters Cup from next year.