AN initiative to provide affordable homes to enable young people to live and work in North Yorkshire is proving a major success, says Ryedale Housing Association (RHA).

The association, part of the Yorkshire Housing Group, has provided 19 homes for rent in Pickering, Malton and Norton for people aged between 16 to 29.

It has bought the homes and refurbished each one with improvements including new kitchens, bathrooms, double glazing and central heating systems.

Brian Clarke, director of RHA, said the project had been part funded through the Government's Single Regeneration Budget.

"It is aimed at providing good quality houses to enable young people to continue to work in the Ryedale area.

"The project is playing a vital part in encouraging young people to live and work in their local community rather than being forced to move to other areas because of the lack of affordable housing.

"We have bought these houses on the open market and refurbished them to a high standard, providing young people with rented accommodation they can be proud of," said Mr Clarke.

"The only condition is that they meet the age criteria and that they train for or work in, the Ryedale area."