EIGHT flats for young people have been opened as part of North Yorkshire’s celebration of Rural Housing Week.

Castle Mews – a block of eight self-contained units in Richmond Market Place – is the latest addition to the YMCA facilities in the town.

The organisation provides supported accommodation for 16 to 25 year olds who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, acting as a stepping stone for them to eventually live independently.

The £550,000 project saw old buildings demolished and replaced with modern homes. They were built thanks to funding from the Homes and Communities Agency, North Yorkshire County Council and Broadacres Housing Association, with support from Richmondshire District Council.

YMCA chief executive Ken Allinson said: “These new units are making a big difference to the service we can provide for young people in Richmondshire.”