PEAK cases of coronavirus are not expected for between three and four weeks across North Yorkshire the leader of the resilience forum has revealed.

In a public broadcast of emergency service leaders, Richard Flinton, Chair of the forum and Chief Executive of North Yorkshire county council said in cities said according to modelling cities such as |London the peak was expected in one to two weeks and North Yorkshire was a couple of weeks behind that.

"What that level will be at the end of the day we don't know. "We are a rural community that is to our benefit as to how it might pass between people, on the other hand we are a more aged community so there are many challenges."

In the meantime work is progressing on the Harrogate Nightingale Hospital where up to 500 beds for coronavirus patients will be available at the Convention Centre. Director of Harrogate Convention Centre, Paula Lorimer, said: "We are proud to support the NHS and are enormously grateful to, and in awe of, our health and care professionals. They are truly heroic in responding to Covid-19. We, and no doubt the entire town, will do all we can to support their efforts.

"We are working closely with partners at Harrogate Borough Council on ensuring the challenge of transforming our building is met swiftly. I would like to thank all of the staff at the venue, who without hesitation came back to their posts to ensure the Nightingale Harrogate Hospital will open on time."