A Four-year project to raise £104,00 to build a new sports pavilion in Thornton-Le-Dale has almost reached its target after a grant of £25,000 was secured this week.

This means that building work can start in the New Year and organisers are aiming for the pavilion to be up and running by June next year.

This latest grant of £25,000, from the Foundation of Sports and Arts, means organisers are only £5,000 from the total amount needed. And they are still awaiting approval for a £5,000 grant from the Football Foundation.

"Now we have this major grant, we will start straight away," said Colin Pickering, chairman of the Thornton-le-Dale Sports Pavilion Association fundraising committee.

"We couldn't start until we got all the grants. I think it's marvellous that we have been able to do this. It's taken us four years. It's been a long haul but it has certainly been worthwhile."

He said the committee was confident of gaining approval of the last £5,000 grant.

"With all the support from the football clubs in the country, I don't think it will be a problem," said Mr Pickering.

When the pavilion opens, it will be a great facility for Thornton-le-Dale, with changing rooms, a tea preparation area, a large meeting area and an area for storing equipment.

Committee member John Farrer said the target for having the building fully operational is June, 2002.

"I think we have to start building early in the new year. Some of the offers of funding have to be spent within the financial year," he said.

"It's been a long target but we have just about got there. We are starting to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel."

He added: "We have a target for having it completed by the beginning of June."

Funding for the pavilion has come from a wide variety of sources including tireless fund-raising by residents in Thornton-le-Dale.

The community has been responsible for over £20,000 raised from a wide variety of sources including generous donations and the hosting of various events.

This coming weekend will see one final fund-raising drive with an auction of gifts and promises in The Hall on Sunday, November 25, at 2.30pm.

Donations for the auction have come from football clubs across the country as well as local residents, farmers and businesses.

There will be 120 lots including various meats, meals out, tickets to sporting events, a free MOT, two hours hedge cutting, signed memorabilia from football clubs, discount vouchers for car repairs, bales of straw and many more.

Updated: 09:09 Thursday, November 22, 2001