THE largest project in the 170-year history of the Great Yorkshire Showground is a step nearer completion with the installation of a roof for the new £10 million hall.

A "topping out" ceremony has been held to mark the milestone, achieved despite recent gales and heavy rain as the project continues on schedule to open well in advance of the venues's largest annual event - the Great Yorkshire Show in July.

The new building, which sits at the heart of the 250 acres site, will provide an additional 4,320sq m of space – equal to three Olympic sized pools. It includes a café, large foyer, offices and dedicated workshop/seminar space.

Heather Parry, the deputy chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which owns the showground, said: "This new hall will be the biggest single events space in Yorkshire and the North East enabling us to host dinners for more than 2,000 people, and offer amazing exhibition and conference space.

"It will also suit a wide range of musical and sporting events. After years of planning, it is wonderful to see the roof completed and fitted with solar panels and we look forward to officially opening the building in June."