A NORTH Yorkshire village has become one of the first in the country to become dementia friendly thanks to the efforts of one of its residents.

Kim Pennock, became a “Purple Angel Ambassador'' last year with the aim of raising awareness of the condition.

Now every business in Thornton-le-Dale, near Pickering, has now got on board with the campaign, displaying Purple Angel logos on their premises to recognise the training staff have been given.

Kim, whose mother has Alzheimer’s, first got involved with the scheme after finding it difficult to find the information and help she needed.

She was put in touch with campaigner Norman McNamara, and his wife, Elaine, who set up the Purple Angel dementia awareness scheme two years ago.

And she was named as one of the first 50 ambassadors in November 2013, with the number now standing at 250 worldwide.

"I am absolutely thrilled that at the end of my first year that Thornton-le-Dale has become the first village in Britain to become dementia friendly," she said.

"It was incredible how everyone jumped at the chance but then again the village does have an amazing community spirit - I've never known a village like it."