A FORMAL bid to buy the bowls club in Norton has been put forward by campaigners fighting to save the club for the local community.

Ryedale Community and Leisure Centre (RCLC), which has the support of more than 500 individual users, as well as clubs and organisations, is proposing to fund the purchase through a mortgage and members’ bond scheme.

Councillor Di Keal, deputy mayor of Norton and a district councillor, said it was the desire that the club become a multi-purpose community centre. “We have dance school Dance Expression and Brooklyn Playgroup, who are very keen to get in there and use the facility,” she said.

“There are also a growing number of bowlers who have raised £23,000 themselves, which is fantastic.”

Coun Keal said she hoped member of Ryedale District Council, who voted to sell the club, would look at the bid and see the huge benefit to the community.

“We are not sure what commercial interest has been shown, but surely it is better to be used by local people,” she said. “If it is not kept for use by the community it will be a huge loss to lots of people of all ages, as well as young children.”

Members of the district council voted to sell the site last year after a report stated that the club’s survival had only been secured by the council halving the annual rent to £10,000.

The club, based off Scarborough Road in Norton, was formally registered as an asset of community value by the district council in July and an expression of interest in bidding to buy the building was made by Ryedale Community and Leisure Centre. Any sale of the building cannot take place until December 26.