FUNDING has been secured for a £15m sports and leisure centre in a North Yorkshire town.

The complex planned for Catterick Garrison will include two swimming pools and an indoor sports hall.

It will also have a fitness suite, squash courts, a library and a shop.

The centre, in Gough Road, opposite Tesco, will be open to Army personnel and civilian residents.

The majority of the money for the project will be provided by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Richmondshire District Council and the county council have also pledged funds towards the development.

The MoD increased its contribution after learning that an application for £2.7m to Sport England for lottery money had been rejected.

Colonel Nick Millen, commander of Catterick Garrison, said he was delighted funding had been secured.

He said: "The fact that the project is now fully funded is a major step forward.

"Not only will it provide state-of-the-art facilities for soldiers to fulfil their training commitment, but it will also give residents in the area the opportunity to share those modern facilities.

"The combination of Catterick Garrison, Richmondshire District Council and North Yorkshire County Council acting in unison to back this multi-million pound development highlights the continuing co-operation between the three parties.

"In addition, the ability for soldiers and civilians to share the magnificent sporting and leisure facilities confirms the greater integration between the two communities. This is another welcome step."

Richmondshire District Council will provide £450,000.

Councillor Yvonne Peacock, chairman of the council's community committee, said: "This is a substantial sum for a small council to contribute to a project such as this and it will have a huge impact for Richmondshire residents, bringing a wide range of modern, accessible sports facilities under one roof."

It is hoped work can start on the centre next summer and be finished by December 2007.

District councillor Richard Dunn and council deputy chief executive Tony Clark will give a progress report aat a community committee meeting on Tuesday.