Northallerton Town Square renamed in honour of athletes

Northallerton’s Town Square is be renamed ‘Olympic Square’ in honour of the district’s Olympians and Paralympians.

Para-rower Laurence Whiteley took the gold medal in Rio last night for the mixed double sculls - rowing in the British team with Lauren Rowles.

The 25-year-old from Northallerton is the latest to achieve success for the district – in the 2012 Olympics Nicola Wilson took a silver for equestrian team eventing and Kat Copeland of Stokesley won a gold in the rowing.

Now the District Council has decided to mark the achievements of all its Paralympian and Olympians by inserting plaques into the pavement of the town centre square to celebrate their successes.

It is hoped the pathway will also act as inspiration to all young athletes just starting their sporting journeys.