LIFE is going to be twice as convenient for visitors to Bedale.

Anyone caught short while attending events in Bedale Hall park can now use toilets opened by the town council in part of a garage behind the building.

The toilets were the idea of the council, which worked on the project with the hall management committee, the Rector and Four and Twenty charity, Hambleton District Council, Bedale and Villages Community Plan Forum and Dave Hewison-Sandyford.

Deputy mayor Councillor Wanda Reynolds said after the official opening: "The park was handed over to the people of Bedale by Sir Henry Beresford-Peirse in the early 1950s for leisure and recreation.

"Many more activities take place there now including a children's playground and skateboard park, a football pitch, car boot sales, family picnics in summer, bonfire night and a summer gala.

"The town council has recognised the need to provide toilets for some time and these have been completed by Andrew Wilkinson to a very high standard. Both toilets have been equipped for disabled use and they are for all park users."

In another ceremony, a few yards away, town councillors accepted the gift of an oak seat made in 12 weeks by pupils from Bedale High School and Richmond School for residents and visitors to rest. It has been placed on the grass verge at the foot of the Bedale Hall entrance.

The pupils were working towards their a certificate in creative crafts.

David Freeman, a tutor at the Bedale centre of Askham Bryan College, suggested making the seat, which enabled pupils to complete part of their course and give something to the community.