A ROLE which has helped to bring in almost £2m in external funding for Hambleton-based businesses is being extended for a further two years.

The district council’s cabinet has agreed that the external funding officer has proved an invaluable resource for the authority and the district.

In the last 18 months Jayne Cranston – working alongside other council officers - has helped secure £1.8m in Local Enterprise Partnership funding for the Dalton Bridge scheme near Thirsk and another £55,000 for a variety of businesses from other grant sources.

That includes £3,683 for Stokesley Foodweek; a £29,500 grant for a Heritage Training Centre at Thorp Perrow; a £4,756 grant for Rounton Coffee at East Rounton and £12,955 for Hambleton Farming Company Limited.

She is also looking at a range of grant applications for a wide variety of other projects, including Wensleydale Railway improvements, and will be heavily involved in funding applications in relation to the redevelopment of Northallerton Prison.