WORK is underway on a £1.2 million new sports hall and sports activity centre at Selby High School.

The building is expected to be finished by February 2017 and will be available for use by clubs and association as well as the school.

It will have a sports hall, changing and showering facilities for people with and without disabilities, four classrooms and an administrative area and the existing school changing rooms will be converted into a fitness suite and classroom.

Head teacher Paul Eckersley said: “Physical wellbeing is a really important aspect in nurturing the whole student and as such, they will soon have the high quality facilities they deserve. I am confident these will encourage more young people to become actively involved in sport and at the same time, provide the school with much needed extra teaching spaces. We are all really looking forward to the new centre opening in February 2017.”

The "breaking ground" ceremony marked the start of work on site after 15 months' preparation including getting planning permission and arranging finance. It will be the latest of three new buildings for the school during Mr Eckersley's headship.

It will be used by local football clubs including five-a-side teams, rugby sessions, cricket teams and badminton clubs among others.