THE regeneration of Northallerton town centre has taken a step forward this week with the keys for the town's former prison handed over to Hambleton District Council.

The authority has bought the building for £1.4 million from the Ministry of Justice.

Council officials say the purchase paves the way for an ambitious new masterplan for Central Northallerton to begin taking shape.

The prison site is expected to include provision for shops, leisure facilities and workspaces, as well as new homes.

Councillor Mark Robson, leader of the district council, said: "This is a very exciting project for the district council - and for Northallerton.

“Finally securing the building is the first step towards the regeneration of the town centre.

"The £1.4 million - which the council believes is a good price for the site – will be funded from our Economic Development Fund with all cash received as a result of the redevelopment ploughed back into this fund.”

The Ministry of Justice closed the prison in December 2013 - 230 years after it initially opened as the county jail for the North Riding of Yorkshire.

During that time it had served as a military prison, a training prison for adults and latterly as a male young offender’s institution.

The 3.4 acre site in the centre of Northallerton includes five listed buildings – among them two female wings built in the 1800s and the governor’s block.

Retired prison officer Paul Rodgers worked at the jail for 22 years.

After the prison closed, he was taken on as a security officer to guard the prison ahead of its redevelopment.

He said it was sad to be the last man out, but he was pleased the site was going to be redeveloped for the benefit of the town.

"Prison buildings can often hang around for a long time after closing so it's good its been bought quite quickly.

"The town lost a lot jobs when the prison and the Rural Payments Agency closed at around the same time. I think it's still up in the air what they're going to build on the site, but hopefully it will be things that bring jobs to the town to replace those we've lost."

The town lost 600 jobs when the prison and Rural Payments Agency closed.

Hambleton District Council has outlined a Central Northallerton Masterplan for the area, which sets out a vision for the redevelopment of the sites left vacant by the closures.

As well as shops, houses and offices, a family friendly pub and community facilities could be built on the site.