SPORTS enthusiasts were cheered yesterday by the news that work on a long-awaited facility is about to start.

Construction on the £485,000 project to build an all-weather pitch and skatepark in Northallerton will get under way later this month

The news follows the confirmation earlier this week that the final funding for the scheme had been secured.

Contractors will move on to the site, between Allertonshire School and Hambleton Leisure Centre, at Stone Cross, in the next few weeks.

The all-weather pitch will be big enough for six games of tennis or two games of five-a-side football or hockey at once.

It will be alongside a skate-park, which will be operated by the group Northallerton Wheelers.

Hambleton District Council spokesman on health Neville Huxtable said yesterday: "We have been waiting a long time for this project to begin, but I am convinced it will have been worth it.

"It has had a number of false starts - mainly due to external funding issues - but now we are looking forward to seeing it up and running."

He said: "It will provide great opportunities for young people in particular to take part in sport. The all-weather pitch will be shared with schools in the area and will enhance the PE curriculum at the Allertonshire School. It will also provide new opportunities for young people out of school in the evening, weekends and holidays."

The facilities - which are being delivered by the district council - should be ready for use in October.

They will be run from the leisure centre, while the day-to-day management of the skatepark will be taken on by the Wheelers.

Designs for the skatepark were drawn up in collaboration with young people, while the plans for the all-weather pitch draw on experiences of the pitches in Easingwold, Thirsk and Stokesley.

Funding is coming from the district council, Hambleton Community Safety Partnership, the National Lottery's Sports Fund and local groups.