WORK on North Yorkshire’s first community-led housing scheme got has now got underway in Richmondshire.

Villagers in Hudswell – already famous for its award-winning community pub – have come together to build three houses for local people who cannot afford to buy a home there.

Hudswell Community Charity has raised £80,000 towards the scheme – to add to a £250,000 loan from Charity Bank and a £40,000 grant from Richmondshire District Council.

“We know that many people who have strong local connections cannot afford to buy a home in Hudswell,” said Don Farrar, chair of Hudswell Community Charity.

“So we are building affordable rented housing ourselves - for people to stay, or move back to the village.”

The district council’s corporate director Callum McKeon said: “We are fully committed to supporting the delivery of affordable housing especially in our rural areas and want to hear from any parish or community group who have similar plans.”