ON A cold and miserable night, supporters rallied round in Malton's biggest demonstration in years to show the demand and need for a sports centre to be built.

I have to express my thanks to every one of those who took the time and trouble to attend.

What they had a right to see was democracy in action - what they got was just inaction. They deserved better.

Just before the elections, the Tories supported the bid to move ahead with a sports centre for Malton, Norton and the wider area.

They claimed at that time it was "inconceivable" that they would pull the rug on the proposal - which is exactly what they have now done.

I mention this because it says a lot about the level of trust and belief that deserves to be credited to their motives in sinking the centre.

We have been asked to believe that the project is unaffordable, despite the fact that £900,000 in grants and outside support was lined up.

They repeatedly inflated the alleged cost of the sports centre which has actually been reduced to £2.7 million through the external funding.

On top of that, Ryedale is sitting on fat balances worth £8 million. It also has spare land to sell that will bring a further windfall.

So, according to the Tories, the sports centre was unaffordable. Excuse me?

Then there was the wholly made-up choice between building an enterprise centre or sports centre - we could easily have provided both.

We will now do whatever we can to pick up the pieces. The fight goes on.

Howard Keal, Liberal Democrat leader, Ryedale District Council, St Nicholas Street, Norton.