Skipton councillor Dennis Hall has called for a greater effort to improve the town's "under funded and under rated" sports facilities.

Speaking at a full meeting of Craven District Council on Tuesday, he said there were no decent athletics facilities for miles around with Skipton's young people having to travel to Keighley or Colne for the nearest track.

Coun Hall added there were also no field sports facilities in the area and no all-weather pitch for local youngsters to use.

He added he was concerned about the district's youth as a whole and said the council should be seen to be encouraging them in all aspects of life.

It was only last week that the Herald revealed that Skipton Rugby Club had been refused a grant by the Sports England Lottery Fund towards work to upgrade its Sandylands ground.

Coulthurst Craven Sports Centre is also in the process of putting a bid together for grant aid to improve facilities at Sandylands.

Coun Hall asked members that in view of the recent refusal to Skipton Rugby Club's plans, what was the council prepared to do to bring all parties together to develop a common interest in the Sandylands sports centre?

Coun Hall said at the moment the facilities at the sports centre were completely "inadequate" and "deplorable".

"The changing rooms are overcrowded with senior members changing with the youth members. The under tens are getting changed in the backs of cars."

He added: "We should be encouraging the development of what is a natural sports ground."

In response, Coun Gerald Hurtley, chairman of the council's regeneration and development committee, said: "Skipton Rugby Club had previously expressed a desire to await the outcome of their appeal to the Sport England Lottery Panel, before deciding whether to become part of the wider Coulthurst Craven Sports Centre bid.

"Now that their appeal has been turned down, it is up to Skipton Rugby Club to decide how they wish to progress their project and whether they wish to become part of the Coulthurst Craven Sports Centre bid.

"The council has already offered its services in respect of any future direction they wish to take."

Coun Hurtley added that there had already been numerous meetings between council officers offering assistance to the sports lottery bid for the Coulthurst Craven Sports Centre.

"Only last week, a very productive meeting was held involving representatives from a wide range of sports clubs including football, hockey, tennis and rugby to review the current plans in light of initial feedback from Sport England.