A TINY community is thinking big – after equipping itself to deal with major incidents.

The community centre at Shipton-by-Beningbrough, near York, has been designated as an emergency rest centre by the county’s major incident response team.

But when members of the new community emergency team realised the centre only had a basic first aid kit, Hambleton District Council stepped in.

The authority made a £120 grant from its Investing in Communities fund to create a special community emergency bag.

Capable of being used at major incidents or at local events, the bag includes high-viz vests, first aid kit, local maps, wind-up radios, wind-up torches and a supply of batteries.

Emergency team member Jon Tate said: “Once Shipton’s team recognised the need for equipment to support local incidents or events, Hambleton District Council stepped in to help the critical resources needed to be held locally.