SPORTS facilities in Leyburn have improved thanks to a grant from the district council.

The town’s Community Leisure Club has received £7,848 towards a £26,162 scheme to refurbish the squash courts and install energy saving insulation and LED lighting.

The club was privately owned until two years ago – but when it closed members formed a non-profit community club, taking over its fixtures and fittings.

It is now run on a voluntary basis with gym memberships reduced to just £20 per month, along with cheaper hire charges.

Richmondshire District Council leader, Councillor Yvonne Peacock said that the authority’s social fund has helped eleven schemes over the past 18 months with £266,671 helping projects worth £1.2m.

“Our fund has made a difference to people’s lives across Richmondshire – helping them to reach fruition,” she said.

“Without this cash many might not have gone ahead – this Leyburn project is a great example of a facility that has been taken over by the local community and is now going from strength to strength.”