A PARISH council is digging into its coffers to stump up £9,000 to back a popular one-stop-shop community office in the heart of its town.

The office, created in Masham's former police station, next to the Market Place, will be receiving the funding in £3,000 payments over the next three years.

Vice-chairman Flo Grainger said the project had become an immediate success with local people and a major focal point.

Sometimes, she said, such projects took time to get off the ground, but not in this case.

Parish council members approved the financial backing at their meeting this week.

Councillor Grainger said she was delighted that the community office had brought an immediate "yes" from local people.

The office can provide a range of information, help and advice on a variety of issues.

Conversion of the old police station into the community project has been widely welcomed by locals.

The office is manned by two permanent staff members and 14 volunteers who have won praise for their cheerfulness.

Computer classes have been fully booked and the centre has already been recognised as a useful local information point on a range of topics from rural transport to social services.