REGARDLESS of what happens today in the World Cup in Japan, young footballers in North Yorkshire have been given reason to celebrate - after netting a huge cash windfall.

The UK's largest sports charity has awarded almost £250,000 to a scheme to create a modern soccer complex at Hell Wath playing fields, in Ripon.

The cash, from the Football Foundation, will transform the site into one of the best developments of its kind in the country.

The number of pitches will be increased from three to five, and there will be a new sports complex incorporating six changing rooms, two officials' changing rooms and a social area.

The development will include access throughout for the disabled, as well as women-only changing rooms.

The overall cost of the project is expected to be just under £360,000, and the rest of the money is coming from Harrogate Borough Council, the Ripon Community Fund, Communities Against Drugs and Ripon City Panthers Junior Football Club.

The football club is one of the main users of the site.

It was formed in 1984 and has nine teams with more than 200 playing members.

Club chairman Mick Silcock said: "The children and young people of Ripon will now have access to some of the finest football facilities in the North of England."

The local authority's cabinet member for leisure and amenity services, Councillor Pat Marsh, said: "The existing facilities are totally inadequate for the modern footballing age.

"This new development is set to be among the best in Britain, and is expected to act as a beacon for footballers of all ages and abilities."

The Football Foundation is funded by the Premier League, the Football Association, Sport England, and the Government and has a £53m budget for revitalising the game at grass roots level.

Chairman Lord Pendry said yesterday: "For far too long grass roots football has suffered from a lack of investment and the foundation is determined to end those years of neglect.

"The Hell Wath project represents the very best in modern football infrastructure, and highlights the positive impact that modern facilities can have on our communities."