A VILLAGE playing field is to get a new meeting place with the construction of a gazebo.

The open-sided building will be installed at Carlton Miniott, near Thirsk, as part of efforts to transform the field into a community facility.

The village's playing fields association raised about £13,000 towards the project, and now the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers has helped it secure a grant from the Barclays SiteSavers scheme.

Work on the gazebo will be launched with a local derby football match tomorrow, when the Old Red House takes on the Vale of York.

Marion Archer, of the trust, said: "It has been a long wait for the grant, but that makes the launch of the scheme all the more exciting.

"I hope many locals will come out to support both the small hard-working committee and the wonderful footballers."

The trust will also carry out work to provide a path through the wildlife area later this year, with more trees planted using funds from Hambleton District Council's countryside conservation grant.

The playing fields association has already created a football pitch and a play area on the site, and is now aiming to build a pavilion to house changing and store rooms.