GRANTS totalling more than £10,000 have been given to transport schemes across the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire.

Hambleton District Council has approved awards to community car schemes operating from five centres in the district.

Each offers lifts to residents unable to use public transport to travel to doctor and hospital appointments, to visit relatives and go shopping.

They each operate under the umbrella of the community care associations running in each of the towns.

Thirsk and Sowerby will receive £1,300, Northallerton and Stokesley will receive £1,000 each, Bedale will receive £1,200 and Easingwold has been given £5,500.

Anyone wishing to use the schemes is asked to contact them directly. The numbers are: Northallerton and Bedale (01609) 780458; Easingwold (01347) 822875; Stokesley (01642) 710085, and Thirsk and Sowerby (01845) 574707.