HELMSLEY Town Council is having to pay out the biggest part of a £14,000 bill to refurbish its play area after the National Lottery said its community fund had run out of cash for the time being.

The town clerk said the council would use money set aside in recent years for winter maintenance of footpaths, towards redeveloping the John Atkinson Memorial Playing Field.

The site was provided in 1925 thanks to a £300 bequest from Mr Atkinson a well known resident who left the money to provide a sportsfield for children and townspeople.

The area is to be named the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Playground. It will open later in the summer.