AN AMBITIOUS catalogue of aspirations including building affordable homes, creating jobs and clamping down on anti-social behaviour are among 26 aims and objectives drawn up by Ryedale District Council.

The authority's policy committee wants to see 75 low-cost homes built a year; at least one regeneration project a year in its five towns - Malton, Norton, Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside and Pickering - a big rise in people taking part in sport and cultural activities, a sharp reduction in violence, and to curb the volume of heavy trucks thundering through Malton and Norton.

Councillor Robert Wainwright, the committee chairman, said; "We believe all these things are achievable and that we can fulfil by the target dates.

"We are fortunate to live in a lovely rural area, but there are still problems we need to tackle. We plan to budget over the coming years to bring them to reality."

The council also aims to bring about annual efficiency savings of 2.5 per cent, give grants to encourage more people to use community transport services to cut CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by the year 2010 and to recycle 37 per cent of all waste by 2007 and by 40 per cent by 2009.

Schemes will also be developed to help Ryedale's younger generation to realise their potential and ambition.