RESIDENTS ANGRY AS TOWN IMPROVEMENT PLANS FALTER.

RESIDENTS in a Northumberland village are campaigning for better leisure facilities, claiming they have been left out of the loop by authorities.

The Friends of Gallagher Park group, in Bedlington, have submitted a planning application to build a BMX track for youngsters in the hope that it will pave the way for a future leisure centre.

The group formed last year with the aim of bringing a sports and social centre to Bedlington.

They were given a boost with a promise from Wansbeck Council that pounds 500,000 it raised from the sale of Bedlingtonshire Golf Club would be spent on facilities in the town.

The club was bought by its 739 members in a historic deal last year and the campaigners say they were given hope that the funds would be used to build a leisure centre.

But when Northumberland County Council came into force as a unitary authority in April it would only pledge pounds 500,000 for the Bedlington area as a whole.

And it has yet to decide how that money will be used.

Campaigner Larry Roberts said: "The unfairness of the situation in Bedlington is appalling."

CAPTION(S):

CAMPAIGNINGResidents of Bedlington who are putting plans forward to build a BMX park in the town.