DOZENS of people attended a service of dedication for a new all-weather sports surface at a Ryedale school.

Savill Field, named after former pupil Peter Savill, who made the project possible, was blessed and dedicated by the Abbot of Ampleforth, the Rt Reverend Timothy Wright, at the event.

"We are immensely grateful for the generosity shown by Peter Savill and his family that has enabled our students to benefit from this superb new facility," said head teacher Father Leo Chamberlain. Peter Savill has been chairman of the British Horse Racing Board for the last four years. The entrepreneur was born in Scarborough and has been highly successful in the publishing industry.

Updated: 11:12 Wednesday, November 19, 2003