THE future of York Railway Institute (RI) has been in doubt since it emerged in 2014 that it could lose £70,000 a year in rates relief under new Government rules.

Now there is good news. The RI, the city's biggest amateur sports club, has won charitable status. That should help guarantee its future.

But this isn't the end of the story. As we have reported before, there are fears the RI's sports facilities in Queen Street could be knocked down to make way for the York Central development.

The club has launched a campaign to protect its buildings urging members and locals to 'Shout for York RI'.

Let's hope they do. This place is too important to lose.