A £1-MILLION sports hall in Appleby is a stepcloser.

The Appleby Alliance Partnership, Appleby GrammarSchool, the town council and local sports groups have submitted a bid for £620,224 to the Lottery Sports Board to create a sports hall, changing,storage, reception and office in the grounds of the school.

Afurther £25,000 should be raised by local fund-raising; £80,000 in landcontribution from Appleby Grammar School; and £50,000 from the Foundationfor Sport and the Arts.

At their latest meeting, Eden DistrictCouncil's works and leisure committee voted to supply the balance of £300,000, subject to other funding beingforthcoming.