SOCIAL services officials in North Yorkshire are promising to offer emergency help to vulnerable people during the poor weather conditions.

Working with other local organisations, they plan to ensure people are able to keep warm during any power cuts and have enough food to get them through any cold snap.

The county's council's executive member for community services, Chris Metcalfe, said: "At this time of year, it's important that we play our part in ensuring the vulnerable members of our communities are supported to deal with the impact of the cold weather.

"We take this role seriously and are on hand to help people in emergency situations.

"We are advising people to keep warm, wear additional clothing, eat well and contact us if a situation is likely to become an emergency."

The corporate director of social services, Derek Law, added: "Our services have a good track record for helping individuals in emergency situations, most recently the floods.

"We are working with partners across the county to ensure we can continue to provide high-quality services in emergency situations."

The pledge came as the county's services for elderly people were judged as continuing to improve by assessors from the Department of Health.

Mr Law said the department's findings were a recognition of the hard work and commitment of staff across the directorate.

Coun Metcalfe said: "The really good news is that individuals who need help and support from social services in North Yorkshire are getting a better service."

Anyone wanting help from social services due to an emergency situation caused by bad weather should contact their local customer relations unit or the emergency duty team.

Contact numbers for the customer relations units are:

* Hambleton/ Richmondshire (01609) 779999

* Harrogate (01423) 568099

* Ripon (01765) 608636

* Scarborough/ Ryedale 08459 501555

* The emergency number outside office hours is (01904) 762314.