THE future of a popular agricultural show is safe after councillors gave planning permission for a new showground.

Borrowby Show can now move to an 11 hectare site west of the A19 Knayton/Borrowby junction.

The site will also be used by up to ten local groups, including tennis players, footballers and cricketers, plus the local scout group.

The show organisers have had difficulty securing sites throughout its 55-year history. Its home for the past ten years has now been ploughed and sown with wheat.

This year, the show will be held on July 28 in a field close to the village.

Chairman of Borrowby Agricultural and Horticultural Society Peter Dennis said: "We have been okay for sites for the last ten years but over those years we have struggled, especially now that we need about 20 acres of land.

"Hopefully if we get funding this summer, buy the land and get the grass seed down this autumn, we could be able to use it in two years' time."

Hambleton District Council approved the plans on Thursday for a change of use of the land.

It imposed strict conditions to limit use to that of a showground and recreation field.

Planning officer Tim Wood said: "Members wanted to be absolutely clear that what they were approving was what was being applied for and nothing more."

Plans for a recreational field in Burneston, near Bedale, were also given the go-ahead.

The field, which is next to the primary school, will be fenced off and a hedge planted.

It will be for the use of the whole village and council officials hope it will reduce the number of children playing in the streets.