MOST elderly people who maintain themselves with the help of social services in North Yorkshire are pleased with the support they receive, according to a survey.

North Yorkshire's Home Care staff visit people in their own homes and help with personal tasks to improve their ability to live within the community rather than residential care.

Now a survey for the county council has shown that 93 per cent of those who responded were satisfied with the help they received and 99 per cent found home care workers polite and helpful.

Ninety three per cent said the workers helped them to be as independent as possible and almost 90 per cent felt that staff visited at the best possible time.

Councillor Murray Naylor, executive member for social services, said: "We have always tried to maintain the right kind of balance between helping and supporting people to live in their own homes and not intruding on their lifestyle.

"I believe this survey shows that elderly people who are trying to live as independent a lifestyle as possible are in very capable hands with North Yorkshire County Council."