GREAT Ayton could have dedicated youth club facilities, library improvements and a proper cycle route to Stokesley under a community-led blueprint supported by Hambleton Council's cabinet.

Stokesley could have an arts and drama centre for the area, plus a skateboard park and full-sized artificial sports pitch, under the plan. Great Broughton might see proper youth club provision, while Hutton Rudby and Swainby village halls could benefit too.

These are some of the priorities identified in a community investment plan for the Stokesley district, drawn up by local people and groups over the past year.

Despite some early suspicions that it was yet another bureaucratic initiative, only projects identified in the plan are eligible for special funding.

The CIP really could improve the quality of life in the area, Hambleton Council's cabinet heard at its latest meeting.

The plan ensured that projects really were wanted. Half the costs may be met from Government single regeneration budgets and remaining sums from other sources.

The plan identifies issues, opportunities and priorities, and similar ones are being produced elsewhere in North Yorkshire.

A steering group with representatives of public, private, voluntary and community groups oversaw the Stokesley document. A mobile exhibition toured Hutton Rudby, Great Ayton and Swainby last year and there were extensive talks in villages. Questionnaires were targeted at specific groups.

At its latest meeting, Hambleton cabinet heard the public had raised broad themes about the economy, community and environment.

People wanted affordable homes, better car parking and traffic calming, leisure activities and transport for young people, visible police patrols, environmental and recycling work, and more support for small businesses and farming.

Specific ideas included:

* a cycle route from Great Ayton to Stokesley;

* promotional signs to attract passers-by to Stokesley;

* introduction of the Wheels 2 Work moped scheme for young workers;

* holiday and weekend transport for Stokesley and Great Ayton teenagers to the cinema and Teesside Park attractions;

* Great Ayton cycle racks;

* extra computer facilities in schools or libraries;

* new bus shelters;

* a Hutton Rudby toddlers' play park.

Hambleton Council said it could provide support in various ways, with funding, staffing, planning advice or technical help.

Subject to one or two points, the cabinet supported the principles of the scheme and detailed applications would be invited.

Coun John Morley said Swainby was funding its own bus shelter because it could not wait any longer. On a cycle route to Stokesley, he said: "I'm disappointed Swainby and Ingleby Arncliffe are excluded, although the A172 is almost highway-standard apart from one section. It would need very little to get it implemented. Calls for a cycle route are constant in our community."

Council leader Coun June Imeson added: "Yes, we've been talking about a Great Ayton route for quite some time. Some children lose the free bus to Stokesley when they reach a certain age. It's only three miles but bus fares are expensive for parents."