A NEW chapter has begun in the history of Ben Rhydding Sports Club, as it unveiled its brand new building.

The club had a £420,000 facility built from scratch, adjacent to its former building, on Coutances Way, which was demolished.

The club has hundreds of members and provides facilities for hockey, tennis, bowls and cricket.

Funding for the venture was backed by a member of the club and supported by a host of money-raising drives by members.

Peter Cussons, president of the club, was charged with opening the club officially, on Sunday, before a reception for 200 people.

He said: "I am delighted. We struggled with the old club, which was in a very poor state of repair for some time. We are thrilled to bits to have the new clubhouse open."

One of the teams, which will benefit from the facilities, Ben Rhydding Ladies Hockey Club, held a last-minute spot of fundraising before dashing to the opening.

The women organised a duck race, sponsored by Yorkshire Water, on the River Wharfe.

A thousand yellow ducks were released along the river, in Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Melissa Reynard, organiser of the race, said: "It went fine. We are just waiting for all the numbers back to see who the winners are."

Mr Cussons said this was typical of the feeling of community at the club.

He said: "The spirit of the club is fantastic. It's a family club. There are at least ten families who are on their third generation."