A LEARNING centre should be running by September - ten months after the idea was proposed.

The first meeting concerning the £110,000 project for Thirsk was held in the town in November. But already most of the cash is in place.

Planning permission has been secured and building work is due to begin at East Thirsk Community Hall at the start of next month.

The project was originally raised by the Learning and Skills Council, which identified a dearth of public training facilities in the town, particularly in regard to the expanding field of information technology.

The learning centre scheme had been led by the East Thirsk Community Association.

It was supported by North Yorkshire County Council's community education service at Thirsk School and the Hambleton Area Learning Partnership, which is made up of many education agencies.

Funding was required for two aspects of the project - the learning facilities and the building.

The Learning and Skills Council provided about £30,000 for 14 computers, associated software and hardware, including an interactive "whiteboard".

The building is to be a two-storey extension to East Thirsk Community Hall.

The cost of £79,000 will be met by the Learning and Skills Council, the Community Association and the Thirsk Regenaration Initiative.

Hambleton District Council's cabinet is expected to approve its contribution to the project.

"This is the fastest start-to-finish project I have ever seen in the town," said community association chairman and councillor Jan Marshall.

"I am extremely surprised at how fast it has happened - and totally delighted. It will be excellent news for Thirsk."

Next month, there will be an open meeting at the hall when people will be invited to say the type of classes they would like to see at the new facility. Classes need not be only related to information technology.

Later it is planned to se up a steering committee in which other education providers will be invited to take part.