VILLAGERS who dubbed the main street through their community Death Hill have won the first round in their battle for a bypass.

A £2.1m package rerouting the A19 around Thormanby is among proposals put forward to make North Yorkshire's roads safer for travellers.

But North Yorkshire County Council has to wait for approval from Transport Secretary Stephen Byers before it can be certain the project will go ahead.

"Thormanby residents have campaigned for many years for a bypass to enhance the quality of life in the community, and there is a good case to support their argument," said the authority's executive member for environmental services, Councillor John Fort.

"The A19 is a major route through the county, and we are committed to supporting improvements to the road and communities along its length.

"Thormanby is the last bypass needed along the route from Middlesbrough to York."

Four deaths in three years and numerous near-misses prompted the campaign, highlighted when residents made coffin-shaped signs to warn drivers of the dangers.

They were removed when Hambleton District Council said they were illegal.

However, campaign spokesman Steven Suart said residents were pleased with recent progress.

"We are intending to start a lobby of central Government," he said.

"There are no objections to the scheme, it fulfils the Government's criteria for preserving rural communities, and I cannot imagine why it would be turned down."

Councillor Peter Sowray, who represents the village at County Hall, said: "This road does make Thormanby a dangerous place for the people who live here. I support this application to the Government."