Tennis great's touching choice for his first patron role

Hero's welcome... Sir Andy was delighted to join the group formed in the aftermath of the massacre

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SIR Andy Murray has become a patron of a charity set up in the aftermath of the Dunblane massacre.

The Dunblane Centre said it marks the first patronage the star has accepted since retiring from professional tennis last year.

The charity was established after the shooting at Dunblane Primary School in March 1996 when Thomas Hamilton shot and killed 16 pupils and their teacher in the gym hall before turning the gun on himself.

After receiving donations from across the world following the shooting, the centre was opened in memory of those who were affected.

Sir Andy, who won three men's grand slam singles titles and two Olympic gold medals in his career, is from Dunblane.

Both he and his brother, Jamie, attended the school at the time of the shooting.