RESIDENTS on a Skipton estate are celebrating after being given the go-ahead to save a derelict recreation ground.

Two weeks ago we reported how the people of Shortbank Close had put their case to Skipton Town Council en masse, and said they wanted to control the destiny of their rec, known as The Gully.

After a special meeting on Monday, the council has agreed to let the locals form their own committee with a view to refurbishing the ground as their millennium project.

Mayor Paul Whitaker said: "Any future decisions can now be made through their own committee. But they have to draw up a proper constitution and then present it to us for approval.

"From then on they will be able to raise funds and no doubt we will be helping out with that.

"But whatever they do they have to remember that the land belongs to the people of Skipton and the facility has to be for everyone."

Residents' spokesman Burt Parker said he and his cohorts would be approaching Craven District Council's external funding officer, Tony Mullin, for advice on how to go about their fundraising.

He added: "We have to consolidate our ideas and come up with an official plan outlining what we can do with the recreation ground.

"The existing Residents' Action Committee will now be scrapped and we will reform under an official name."

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