Malton and Norton Rugby Club has finalised plans for a £340,000 redevelopment that will bring a major improvement to both the social and playing facilities at The Gannock.

The project includes the creation of new changing provision, providing four en-suite rooms which will also free up space to allow an extension of the kitchen area.

A new changing room block, including five new rooms and a referee’s changing room will also be created, all of which will be built to the latest RFU/Sport England specifications.

Funding has been secured from a range of sources, including the Rugby Football Union which has approved a grant of £85,000, and the Rugby Football Foundation has provided an interest-free loan of £100,000.

Sport England is contributing £50,000 via the ‘Inspired Facilities’ Olympic Legacy fund and local backing has come from Ryedale District Council, with £25,000, and The Earl Fitzwilliam Charitable Trust contributing £2,000.

The club will be using existing club funds and will launch a fundraising campaign to make up the shortfall.

Ted Mitchell, the RFU funding and facilities manager for the North, said: “Malton and Norton RUFC is an example of a club that consulted across all members to identify a clear vision for their future growth as a rugby club.

This, in turn, gave them clarity around what additional facilities they needed in order to deliver their plans for growth in playing, coaching and volunteering numbers.”

Club chairman Robert Harrison said: “Rugby is always our first consideration at Malton and Norton and our current facilities cannot cope with our ever-expanding mini and junior section. These players are the future of the club and we owe it to them to provide them with the best facilities.”