MORE North Yorkshire communities are to be given a say on the design of new buildings in their villages.

Hutton Rudby was the first to produce a Village Design Statement - a document which is passed to architects to help them come up with something which blends with the environment and existing architecture.

Next on the list are Aldwark, near York, Stokesley and Brompton, on the edge of Northallerton.

"Since the success of Hutton Rudby, we have been looking for more communities to get involved in this initiative,'' said Geoff Ellis, chairman of Hambleton District Council's planning committee.

"Villagers are best placed to identify which features and qualities are valued and which make up their community's distinctive character. We recognise that their local knowledge and opinions place them in the best position to decide how their village should look in the future.''

However, each of the new candidates has been warned, if the project is to work, it needs a majority input.

Mr Ellis added: "All three communities include Conservation Areas and have been experiencing pressures for change and development."