EFFORTS to make more towns dementia-friendly are to be led by Northallerton in supporting sufferers in the community.

Alzheimer's Society North Yorkshire and Hambleton and Richmondshire Dementia Alliance are working to establish the county town as the area's first Dementia Friendly area as a tribute to the late councillor Tony Hall, who had led the campaign.

Richmond MP Rishi Sunak has also backed the campaign, which seeks to support and better understand the 3,000 people with dementia in North Yorkshire - a figure that is expected to double in coming years.

Mr Sunak said it was vital communities prepared themselves to cope with the expected increase of people suffering from the condition - and that it was a huge challenge because most sufferers lived in the community rather than in hospital.

He said: “Local businesses and town councils can take the lead in ensuring their environments support those suffering with dementia.

“Better signs, brighter lighting, clear floor spaces – these are all small things that can make a big difference.”

He gave as an example the black floor mats many shops placed at their entrances in times of bad weather. People with dementia could perceive these to be deep black holes and would not enter.

Cllr Hall, who died earlier this year and was a former Mayor of Northallerton, had been leading efforts to improve understanding of dementia in the town.

A number of free Dementia Friends sessions are due to held in Northallerton and Richmond in the next few weeks. For details, visit dementiafriends.org.uk