A GROUP of sports clubs has formed a consortium and drawn up plans for a £2m outdoor sports centre.

The Ryedale consortium hopes to create the complex at Malton, near the site of the town's rugby club.

Sports clubs across the town decided to pool their resources and hope to pay for the complex through National Lottery and other sports funding, and public subscription. Those involved include Malton and Norton Rugby Club, the Fitzwilliam Sports Association, with its soccer, hockey and cricket clubs, plus the Malton Tennis, Bowls and Squash Club.

Spokesman Don Low said: "There is Lottery funding as the prime source and also money available from other organisations such as the Lawn Tennis Association and the Rugby Football Union.

"This could be a great fillip to Malton. As sports enthusiasts ourselves, we have a great hands-on approach. We come from the grassroots and we are building for the future."

Initial discussions have been held with Ryedale District Council, the Fitzwilliam Estate, English Heritage and North Yorkshire County Council.

However, financing the project is not the only difficulty ahead, as it is believed that a significant Roman site lies under the proposed site.

It will cost up to £3,000 to have experts from English Heritage examine the site and advise how it could be developed above the Roman site.