A community's sporting ambition has moved closer to reality with the launch of a £100,000 fundraising campaign.

The Boroughbridge Community Association (BCA) has been working on a sporting and recreation project for the Aldborough Gate playing fields, ultimately expected to cost about £750,000.

Next Thursday, it will be launching its appeal at a public meeting in the Crown Hotel, Boroughbridge, at 6pm.

It has taken the BCA ten years to identify a suitable site for the project, which will provide extra sports fields, a sports pavilion, picnic areas and a footpath linking Aldborough Gate to Boroughbridge.

Association chairwoman Fran Raper said the aim was to provide Boroughbridge and surrounding areas with an enhanced level of sporting and recreational facilities.

"The fundraising target we have set ourselves is a tough one, but we are confident that this can be achieved with the support of the local community," she said.

"The BCA want to hear as many ideas as possible about how this money can be raised and we want to get as many local people as possible on board at this early stage as we want to see a start on site by the end of this year,"

Those attending the launch event will have the chance to see the plans for the sports fields and pavilion, and speak to project members about sponsorship.