A £15.5 MILLION plan to expand and revamp the famous Harrogate International Centre looks set to go ahead.

Liberal MP Phil Willis, who is the centre's chairman, praised Yorkshire Forward for its "vision" in plugging the final gap of £4 million, describing it as "brilliant news."

He also said it was a "brilliant double triumph for Harrogate Borough Council which has secured the future of the centre's Royal Hall without having to go cap in hand to the local tax payers."

The £4 million was all that was needed after a combination of National Lottery funding, Harrogate Borough Council reserves and money in the Centre's kitty.

Mr Willis said that the plan to provide new conference break-out facilities along with restoration of the Royal Hall now looked possible.

Updated: 10:41 Friday, February 28, 2003