ART is entering the age of high technology in some of the more remote parts of North Yorkshire.

With the help of a £28,000 grant from the Arts Council, Rural Arts North Yorkshire, which is based at Thirsk, has recently taken delivery of nine new laptop computers - some of which are shown, above, by the organisation's director, Angela Hayward.

The machines will be used for creative IT techniques, such as film animation and sound, and photographic manipulation. They will go out to groups in village halls and other venues. "This complements the computers we were able to acquire last year and takes the total to more than 20," said a spokesman. "It means we can have two touring groups out at the same time and they are very popular around the county."