A consultation exercise is being carried out in an effort to remove inequalities in services across North Yorkshire.

The idea is to remove barriers to accessing services, linked to factors such as race, sex, and disability.

To carry out the project thoroughly, the views of minority and under-represented groups need to be heard.

As a result, meetings will take place with such groups across the county next month.

The county council is also producing a consultation pack so that others in the community get the chance to make their voice heard.

Director of education Cynthia Welbourn is leading the equality agenda.

She said: "It is vital that everybody has the same opportunity to get the kind of services they want.

"Our aim is to eliminate any form of discrimination which might prevent this happening."

The consultation packs are available from libraries or via the council website at www.northyorks.gov.uk under What's New.