FORMER YORKSHIRE and England cricketer Don Wilson joined sports fans in York today as a major new sporting development was officially opened to the public.

Don, a left-arm spin bowler for county and country during the 1960s, oversaw the official ceremony to mark the completion of the Hopgrove Playing Fields Association Sports Complex. The development came about through a grant of £572,000 from the Sports England Lottery Fund, as well as other donations from local councils and trusts.

The long list of new facilities at the sports complex includes five grass football pitches, a multi-use games area, an archery range, a cricket pitch, 12 changing rooms, a meeting room and a snack bar.

During today's festivities to mark the official opening, there were football tournaments, cricket nets, netball, tennis and the chance to have a go at archery, while for the children there was a bouncy castle and face painting.

Today's opening ceremony was the culmination of a year and a half's work. The official turf-cutting ceremony to mark the beginning of construction was performed in March 1999 by the then Lord Mayor of York, Coun Derek Smallwood.

The multi-use games area quickly took shape and has been in use for a year, but the outdoor facilities only began to come into use during the last two or three weeks.

Among the local clubs to feel the most benefit from the new sports complex will be Heworth Football Club, Huntington Junior Football Club, York Archers Association and Hopgrove Cricket Club.