SOCIAL care is to be made available to a wider spectrum of adults than before after a council relaxed its rules on who is eligible for its services.

Previously only those whose needs were considered to be high were able to get access to North Yorkshire County Council's social care services.

But now adults with low or moderate needs can also get assistance. It is hoped that by providing care earlier vulnerable adults will be able to retain control of their lives - and stay in their own homes - for longer.

It means that North Yorkshire County Council is bucking a national trend - in the face of the increasing cost of care many councils across the UK have tightened their eligibility criteria to give care to only those with the most critical needs.

Councillor Chris Metcalfe, deputy leader of the council and executive member for adult social care, said: "This is quite simply fantastic news for the people of North Yorkshire. This is the second year running that we have relaxed our criteria due in large part to the tremendous efforts of all staff who continue to manage their budgets exceedingly well.

"North Yorkshire County Council is pleased that it is able to help many more vulnerable people to stay in their own homes and live as independently as possible.

"The aim is to arrange early support as their needs come to light. People know what they want and our intention is to give them more control of their lives and arrange services that suit them and not us.

"We must not forget that helping people in this way does make a real difference because it improves the quality of their lives. It is also very pleasing that we continue to do so in an affordable way that demonstrates value for money.

"This decision yet again shows that the council continues to take actions in the community's best interest. We are very much in tune with the national agenda for change and lead the way in making change work for the benefit of our local people."