MILLIONS of pounds are to be spent to transform the home of the Great Yorkshire Show into the northern centre of excellence for the world of agriculture.

Over the next five years, £10m will be pumped into the Great Yorkshire Showground at Harrogate, and work could begin within the next year.

The plans are still at the discussion stage, but they include creating a regional agricultural centre including the offices of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, a farm shop and a caf.

An existing accommodation block would be replaced with a 100-bedroom hotel and Exhibition Hall One would be rebuilt, taking it from 3,500 square metres to 6,500 square metres.

A new roundabout would be built on Wetherby Road and a new road into the Showground, with the existing touring caravan park would be relocated within the site.

The society's chief executive, Nigel Pulling, said: "Our vision is for the Great Yorkshire Showground to be the centre for agriculture in the north of England.

"Over the last decade, we have spent more than £12m on upgrading the site but that programme has been completed.

"These plans are a natural next step and will enable us to promote agriculture more effectively, and improve the facilities available year round.

"We believe this is good news for agriculture and good news for the local economy."

Consultations are taking place with the local authority and other parties before an outline planning application is lodged.