Residents in Northallerton are questioning what more than a million pounds of funding for a 'sports village' have been spent on.

The project's aim is to improve the existing Stone Cross recreational land, as well as bringing land to the north of the town into community use.

The first phase of the project was set to finish in March this year but there has been a delay.

Now Northallerton residents have expressed concern that £1.3m of funding earmarked for the scheme has not been well spent and have complained about a lack of information.

Pictures from the site show that a bridge is covered with graffiti, metal barriers have been thrown into the beck beside the bridge and walkers have been entering the 'closed' site.

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Claire Hampson, a resident worried about the lack of progress, said: "I simply want some answers and I am concerned with the amount of graffiti that is building up."

The Northern Echo: The bridge in the park is covered in graffiti

Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, explained that the few allotment huts which have been built are in danger of "becoming ruined".

They said: "No one is giving any information out as to why it is still not open or if or indeed when it will open."

The Northern Echo: Fences in the park have been knocked down

"You don’t see work going on either if it’s not yet completed. Lots of people are now using it despite it supposedly being a closed secure area.

"If you do take a walk you can see evidence of vandalism and graffiti around the bridge area.

"It would also be interesting to see exactly where the millions allocated to the project have been spent - and why call it a village when the only buildings are a few allotment huts that are in danger of becoming ruined?"

The project was initially led by Hambleton District Council, until it was abolished last year, and is now being overseen by North Yorkshire Council.

North Yorkshire Council said that it is waiting for a formal transfer of the land north of Stone Cross before the site can be opened.

The Northern Echo: Trees which had been planted have been vandalised

A council spokesperson said: "The project has enhanced existing paths and created new ones with routes totalling more than 4,500 metres.

"These include a gravel path network and tarmac pathways, including a one-kilometre fitness trail.

"Approximately 300 large trees and 3,000 smaller trees have been planted and plants, shrubs and seed planting has taken place across the site.

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"Woodland management has taken place with trees removed to thin pockets of existing woodland.

"There have been 53 bird boxes and 14 bat boxes installed.

"A pond has been created and improvements to Willow Beck have taken place.

"Phase one is almost complete, we are awaiting formal transfer of the new land north of Stone Cross before this part of the site can be open.

"Until this process is complete the area must remain closed.

"We are working towards opening the full site as soon as we can."