THE 33-year wait for a sports centre in Malton and Norton will go on after plans for a £3.6 million scheme were controversially thrown out last night.

Amid stormy scenes at a Ryedale District Council meeting, proposals which would have seen a new leisure facility built on part of Malton School's playing fields were cut down in a knife-edge vote.

More than 150 local residents - many carrying banners, footballs and tennis rackets and wearing sports kit - crammed into the council chamber at Malton to hear the outcome of the saga surrounding the centre, which was first mooted in 1975 and would have cost about £60,000 a year to run.

The plans were turned down by a 15-13 vote after the Conservatives - the council's largest party - claimed the centre would divert funds away from affordable housing and could lead to council tax rises. A last-ditch attempt to secure further discussion on the scheme was also rejected.

That sparked fury from the centre's supporters, with Norton East councillor and Liberal Democrat leader Howard Keal - who walked out of the meeting in disgust - saying their hopes had been left "shredded on the floor of the council chamber".

Derek Youngs, a member of Malton Tennis Club, said: "We're gutted, devastated. The centre would have provided tremendous opportunities for young people. I can't believe the narrow-mindedness of some of our politicians."

Stewart Frank, of Norton, added: "It's an absolutely disgraceful decision. These people are supposed to represent our communities. I don't know how they can look at themselves in the mirror after this."

Council leader Keith Knaggs, who admitted he was prepared to be "the most unpopular person in the room", was among the centre's opponents. He said: "A sports centre is something we want, but affordable housing is something we need, and that need is completely different from the need to play badminton or volleyball."

Wolds councillor Edward Legard said: "The project would cost a substantial sum of money and I just wish it was cheaper.

"Once that money is spent, it's gone forever. There will be no further major expenditure, and when we have another roomful of people asking for something different, we will have to turn them away because there will be nothing for them."

Malton School head teacher Rob Williams said the decision was "a crushing disappointment", but added: "We still have the wit, ability and resources to deliver improved sports facilities at the school - something the council has abjectly failed to deliver."