WORK has started on a £765,000 scheme to improve a town's sports facilities.

The project, which has been described as an asset for Bedale by local councillors, includes building an all-weather pitch and an extension to the fitness studio at the town's leisure centre.

A health and education complex will also be created at Bedale High School, where the changing rooms for the sports hall will be refurbished.

The project, which brings together Hambleton District Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the High School, was awarded £596,000 from the Big Lottery Fund in July last year as part of £2.7m of grants handed to schools in the North East and North Yorkshire.

The floodlit all weather pitch, which is at the High School, will be ready for use this month.

On Friday, work started on the second phase of the project, with builders moving into the leisure centre and the school.

They were joined by the chairman of Hambleton District Council, Councillor June Imeson, and her counterpart at North Yorkshire County Council, Councillor John Dennis.

Coun Imeson said: "This exciting scheme unites a number of organisations in one aim, to improve educational and sporting facilities for Bedale and the surrounding villages for people of all ages.

"It is an exciting time for Bedale. We are creating a wonderful asset for the school and the community to share."

The project is the latest improvement to sports facilities in Hambleton.

In December, a £475,000 floodlit pitch opened on land between Allertonshire School and Hambleton Leisure Centre, in Northallerton. It can accommodate six games of tennis and two of five-a-side football or hockey at any one time.