AN equestrian centre is being built as part of the redevelopment of a North Yorkshire college.

Work is under way on the £500,000 project at Askham Bryan College, near York.

It will include indoor and outdoor schools, stabling and support facilities for about 20 horses and is expected to be open by the end of October.

The centre is part of a programme of work that most recently added an animal management centre and increased the size of the dairy unit.

Helen Evans, the college's acting section leader of equine studies, said: "This will be a tremendous benefit to our equestrian students. In the past they have had to travel to carry out the practical side of their studies."

She added: "A purpose-built centre will allow us to be more flexible, perhaps running short specialist courses or evening courses, as well as moving into higher education in September 2004.

"Our team has expertise across all equine disciplines, so with this new facility we are well equipped to develop students' equestrian excellence at all levels."

The new centre is being built on a nine-acre site on the eastern side of the campus.

One of the main features is a large indoor school containing a viewing gallery, with tiered seating for about 50.

Complementing that is an outdoor menage, with a full set of show jumps, adjoining substantial grazing and cross country training area.