CAMPAIGNERS looking to create a £1m sports stadium in Wear Valley are appealing for volunteers to join their ranks.

Plans for the sports track and training centre could become a reality if more people join the project committee, according to acting secretary Richard Wigham.

But he says more committee members are needed to develop proposals for an all-weather arena for minority sports, which he believes would be a huge coup for the area.

He said: "I think it would be a huge benefit to the local area, bringing in revenue, attracting people from across the region for competitions, developing sport and recreation opportunities for all sorts of people.

"And as a community project we would want local people to get training and secure jobs from brick-laying and landscaping of the site to horse management and event co-ordinating once it was open.

"Of course we need a bigger committee in place to press ahead with the plans, and to start applying for grants and raising the money needed, which at most is estimated at £975,000."

The project was originally conceived as a track for equestrian sports, such as harness racing, but is now winning the support of other sports groups, including Bishop Auckland Hockey Club, which does not have access to an Astro pitch in the district.

It is hoped it could also host five-a-side football, whippet and greyhound racing, archery, biking, quoits and croquet, and would be built with disabled sports in mind.

Wear Valley District Council and Business Link County Durham are supporting the committee's work.

Durham County Council has identified a possible site for the development, in St Helen Auckland, near Bishop Auckland.

A public meeting will be held on Monday to enlist the help of volunteers, who can help with fundraising and organising, and to encourage more sports enthusiasts to back the scheme.

The meeting, being held in the Eden Arms, in West Auckland, at 7pm, will also be the first chance for people to view plans and an artist's drawing if the proposed arena.

The sketches have been drawn up to help people visualise the possibilities of the scheme.