A NORTH Yorkshire market's town's modern but cash-strapped community office has been given a glimmer of hope - and a Royal honour.

Ryedale District Council agreed to ask for a business plan from the office's board to consider providing funds after chairman Munro Donald told councillors that, while it had been a successful enterprise in providing a wide range of help to Kirkbymoorside residents, it still needed outside funding.

"The community office has done much to become self-financing," said Mr Donald. He said that without additional income, the office faced reducing the services it provides, or at worst closure.

Funds from regional development agency Yorkshire Forward were coming to an end, he said.

"But such has been the success of the community office, that it will soon be honoured by the presentation of the Duke of York's Community Initiative Award," said Mr Donald.

Mr Donald said the services provided by the office include business support, employment and training advice, IT help, and a police headquarters.