EMERGENCY help will be available for Richmondshire council tenants over the Christmas season.

All calls over the festive period will be dealt with by the emergency out-of-hours service, Ryecare, on 01653 690738.

Ryecare will also cover homelessness issues for both Hambleton and Richmondshire over the Christmas period - for people who have no friends or relatives to stay with.

Three nights accommodation will be given to anyone who is homeless using the cold weather provision - when the temperature drops below freezing for three consecutive nights. People who are non-priority homeless would also qualify for this.

The Housing Options service will close at 4.45pm on Friday, December 21,in both Richmond and Northallerton and re open on Wednesday January 2 at 8.45am.