A NEW unit has been set up which is responsible for checking staff and volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults in North Yorkshire.

It will act as a central point of contact between the county council and the Criminal Records Bureau - which carries out checks by searching records held by the police, the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills.

The authority decided to create the unit following recommendations in the Bichard Report, produced by Sir Michael Bichard in the inquiry into the Soham tragedy when two young girls were murdered.

The county's executive member for corporate affairs, Carl Les, said: "The new unit aims to ensure that the recruitment process can continue to make safe decisions by identifying people who may be unsuitable to work in certain professions and occupations, including work that involves contact with children or other vulnerable adults. The unit will help to protect the communities throughout North Yorkshire."

The unit expects to process about 26,000 disclosure forms each year.