A SPORTING and recreation facility in a village is on course to open next year.

The Hillside Rural Activities Park in Knayton, near Thirsk, will include cricket and football pitches, tennis courts and a 1,400-metre jogging track on a 28-acre site near the A19.

There will also be a combined Scout meeting hall and indoor sport facility. The site will host Borrowby Show in July each year.

The installation of electricity and water supplies is expected to be completed in the next few weeks.

Two applications to funding group Awards for All for a tractor and grass-cutting equipment and for funding for a children's playground are pending.

The playground has already secured a total of £10,000 from the Lloyds TSB Foundation and the Local Network Fund.

Project chairman Moray Finch said: "Thanks to the many people who helped out with the preparation of the land."

He said the grass was now growing well, and added: "This bodes well for us playing both football and cricket on the site next season, as well as hosting Borrowby Show in July 2007. Over the winter, we will be working hard raising more funds for the remaining areas of the project -the tennis courts, the Scout and community sports hall and the children's playground."

To help the scheme, call Mr Finch on 01845-537034.