A RUGBY club is bidding to put itself at the heart of the community and become a widely used sports facility.

Beverley RUFC has launched a five-year plan to revamp its clubhouse and eventually offer women's changing rooms and an all-weather pitch.

To do that, the registered charity is embarking on a fundraising push it hopes will encourage sponsors and mean it can put more back into the town.

Club spokeswoman Haley Elsden said: "It's almost like a relaunch of the club. We're looking in the future to improve the clubhouse and build a gym.

"The intention is to make the facilities open to the wider community."

Beverley RUFC runs three adult teams and junior sides, ranging from six-year-olds upwards.

Phil Rann captains Beverley Bandits – effectively the third team – and wants to spread the message.

He said: "I've been at this club 20 years and it has colossal potential, especially in a town like Beverley.

"We want to give something back to the community. It would be nice to have an all-weather pitch and ladies' changing rooms, but I don't think we need things like conference facilities.

"It would be great to eventually be able to offer bursaries to people who want to go to college, but who perhaps can't afford it."

The first fundraiser planned is a charity fashion show at Beverley Arms Hotel on Wednesday, February 29.

After that the aim will be to hold other similar events and attract sponsorship.

The fashion show starts at 7.30pm. As well as rugby players in full kit there will be styles from local shops Sugarbird, Kennedi, Oska, Fairy Godmother and Rojo, which are all supporting the event.

E-mail haleyelsden@ymail.com for more details.