THE BALL was well and truly in MP Hugh Bayley's court when he tried out sports facilities at York Railway Institute (YRI).

Mr Bayley took along his squash kit to make sure he got a proper feel of the Queen Street complex.

He also visited the outdoor sports complex off Hamilton Drive, Acomb, and the Pike Hills Golf Club.

During the visit, chairman of YRI Mike Newsome told Mr Bayley of the organisation's "anxiety" over the coming development of the area surrounding York station.

Railtrack, YRI's landlords, is developing the area, and so Mr Newsome wanted assurance the sports set-up would not be affected.

He said: "I sincerely hope the development scheme is sufficiently robust to accommodate replacement facilities to ensure those facilities are available to the city."

Mr Bayley said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his visit to the three sites.

"These are valuable facilities offering a wide range of activity to York citizens.

"It is important that this is recognised when the proposed redevelopment of the extensive railway site goes ahead," he added.

Updated: 12:27 Friday, September 21, 2001