THE disabled and families under pressure will be the latest to benefit from regeneration projects in Ripon.

The city has already won £10m in grants, to be spent over the next four years on projects aimed at rejuvenating the local economy as well as the townscape itself.

The Market Place is to have a facelift, with other funds channelled into projects which will help plug the gaps left when the city's university campus closes next year.

Ripon hopes to establish itself as a centre for hi-tech industry, expanding on the technology status already awarded to the former City School, in Clotherholme Road, now known as Ripon College.

However, the Ripon City Partnership and Yorkshire Forward yesterday confirmed £106,000 will be invested in a disability support worker and a family support worker, assigned part-time to the Ripon Council for Voluntary Service (CVS).

The disability support worker will target projects which will help disabled people "fulfil their potential", assessing their needs and then helping to find the facilities they require.

Local businesses will also be encouraged to fully implement the Disability Discrimination Act, ensuring an equal chance of employment for those with special needs.

The family support worker's role will be to improve the quality of life of vulnerable families, including those on low incomes, those affected by the crisis in farming, those who need help with problem children, or those who are socially isolated for any other reason.

Network groups, skills training and help with preparation for job interviews and even child-minding in emergencies are among the priorities.

A grant of £90,000 has already been approved from the Single Regeneration Bid (SRB) budget, unlocking another £16,000 from other sources.

The vice-chairman of the Ripon City Partnership, David Briggs, said: "The disability and family support workers will make a real difference to the lives of many local disadvantaged and vulnerable people by giving them advice, help and support to fulfil their potential.

"It shows that SRB money is reaching all sections of the community."