WORK to create a £1m sport and arts venue in Easingwold is expected to begin this autumn.

The Galtres Centre scheme took a major step forward this month when planning permission was granted by Hambleton District Council for the new hall on the town centre site.

The hall, the size of four badminton courts, will be suitable for five-a-side football, basketball, badminton, aerobics, volleyball, netball, karate and tennis, and future use may be extended to gymnastics. It will also have cricket nets.

Galtres Centre sports committee chairman Peter Rees said: "Not only will we get a new sports hall, but the existing leisure hall at the centre will become a specialist arts facility with tiered seating and specialist stage, sound and lighting equipment. It will be a great asset for the town.''

He said 80 per cent of funding towards the cost of the joint project with the district council had already been raised.

Councillor Ralph Andrew, cabinet member for health, said: "Our partnership with the Galtres Centre is massively going to improve sports provision in the south of Hambleton.

"But while the council is contributing significant capital and staff resources to help deliver this scheme, it is the Galtres Centre volunteers who deserve credit for developing it so far.''

The centre is expected to be open by October next year.