A streetsweeper has been put to work in a market town.

The Scarab Minor Cambus machine will be used six days a week in and around Richmond.

It is one of only two of its kind in the country.

"It's a robust little machine," said driver John Soulsby, of Richmondshire District Council.

"It's mobile and efficient, as well as tough, which it needs to be in this part of the world, with cobbles and hills to deal with."

Mike Slee, head of the council's contracting services unit, said, "Our waste management programme was recently praised by the Audit Commission. We hope that, with continued staff training and development, and by using the most advanced equipment available, the service we provide will continue to improve."