PROJECTS aimed at creating jobs and promoting business development across North Yorkshire are to benefit from almost £1m in European cash.

The schemes will share £960,000 from the European Commission's funding scheme to encourage competitiveness, innovation and opportunities.

The money has been welcomed as a boost for the economic future of the region.

The EC has confirmed an award of £517,793 towards a Stokesley project that will pave the way for development of digital technology companies in North Yorkshire.

A managed workspace project will provide a focus for business support in the town's business park, creating 930sq metres of business space.

It will provide offices for start-up companies and young entrepreneurs in the technology sector.

Similarly, an award of £225,459 for North Yorkshire County Council's Property Grants Scheme is aimed at kick-starting capital development across the county.

It will help fund the systems and resources needed for the scheme. Sites will be assessed for development potential.

Others to benefit include the Hillside Out-of-School Club, based at Knayton Primary School, in Hambleton, which will receive £60,628 to provide high quality childcare facilities.

Hambleton's Delegated Grant Scheme is to get £79,500 to help local groups develop the skills and confidence to make better use of European funds.

In the Craven area, £46,800 will go towards a recycling service for green waste, while the Pateley Bridge Small Projects Fund will get £30,000 towards its easy-access grants scheme for local projects.

The European director of the Regional Government Office, Alison Biddulph, described the announcement as great news for the region.

She said: "It is yet another example of the key part that European funding is playing in backing the region's efforts to establish itself as world- class, both economically and socially.

"The range and quality of the projects that have won funding is impressive. They will all impact greatly on the day-to-day lives of people."