A GRANT of £100,000 has been pledged to improve football facilities in a North Yorkshire village.

The Football Foundation money will pay for two pitches on land adjacent to the existing playing field in Catterick Village.

The project is being overseen by Richmondshire District Council, Catterick Village Sports Association and the village's junior football club.

Bob Thornton, chair of Catterick Village Junior Foorball Club, said: "It has taken over five years in association with the district council to take ownership of the land adjacent to the existing sports field and then secure funding to commence the ground works. The junior football club will now be able to move forward with the development plans."

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: "We warmly congratulate the club for their hard work and dedication in securing this award.

"Grassroots football is the lifeblood of the game in this country, which is why it's vital that projects such as this now have the benefit of foundation cash."

The Football Foundation is funded by the FA Premier League, The Football Association, Sport England and the Government.