A VILLAGE'S four-year fight for better sports facilities has ended in success.

Residents of Barton, near Richmond, have raised nearly £60,000 to build a football pitch.

But Trevor Frankland, who ran the fundraising campaign, said getting the cash had been a long and arduous process.

"We first tried to get the money from the National Lottery, but our application fell at the last hurdle," said Mr Frankland.

"We didn't give up and we were over the moon when the Football Foundation came up with the goods.

"It's taken four years, but we are finally there."

On top of a grant for £30,757 from the Football Foundation, a further £10,000 was pledged by Richmondshire District Council. Yorventure, which distributes money from the landfill tax credit scheme, gave a further £8,600, which was matched by local fundraising.

To qualify for the grants, villagers had to set-up a limited company, become registered as a charity and meet the FA charter standard for coaching children.

Hilary Conway, community leisure officer for Richmondshire council, helped Barton Playing Field Ltd raise the cash.

She said: "It has been a four-year battle for them and I was thrilled when Trevor called me to say they had got the money from the Football Foundation.

"They are only a small community but they have worked so hard."

Peter Lee, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said he was delighted his organisation could help the village.

"With more than 20 projects already funded in the region worth £4m, the foundation is making an unprecedented investment into grassroots football in North Yorkshire," he said.

"This ground in Barton will soon be providing more opportunities for young people to play our national game."

Work is expected to start on the pitch, at the Church Meadows ground, early next year.

It is hoped local primary schools and youth teams will use the football pitch, which will be build next to the existing cricket pitch.

In two or three years, Mr Frankland said the village would consider applying for more money to rebuild the changing rooms.