Skipton Rugby Club will install a new drainage system at Sandylands after benefitting from the latest round of playing fields funding.

After a season when waterlogging has seen dozens of matches and training sessions cancelled, Skipton Rugby Football Club will spend its £50,000 award on a new drainage system that means rain will no longer stop play.

Club president Mel Mason, said: “These are dedictated funds that will be used specifically for draining the training pitch, but it will mean that we have improved facilities without having to look for resources from other areas of the club “We are also hopeful that the improved facilities can be used for other recreational purposes, especially looking towards the Tour de France next year, to generate some additional new income for the club.”

The award comes as even more local sports fields across the country are to be safeguarded and improved after Sport England announced a 50 per cent boost to the Protecting Playing Fields Olympic and Paralympic legacy fund.

The £5 million increase, made possible by strong sales of National Lottery tickets, is in response to huge demand for the programme from sports clubs and other local groups.

Sport England Chair, Nick Bitel, said: “The popularity of this legacy fund shows just how important good local playing fields are to grassroots sport.

“I’m delighted that even more communities will now benefit thanks to this extra lottery funding. But Sport England’s support for playing fields is about much more than money; every day our experts play a vital role in protecting sports provision through the planning system.”