A £1.6M affordable housing scheme providing crucial homes for local people in a rural village has been officially opened.

The 11-home estate at Gilling West near Richmond has been built by Broadacres Housing Association on the site of a former sheltered housing complex.

They say the homes have been allocated to people with a connection to the village, either because they already lived there or work nearby and is part of the drive to ensure village communities remain sustainable for local people.

Richmondshire MP Rishi Sunak opened the scheme with the help of resident Irene Nichol who was one of the first to move in. He said: "This is just the sort of development we need to meet the demand for affordable housing."

Broadacres chairman Colin Wilkie said: "Rural schemes like this are fundamentally important because they help us to meet the demand for high quality housing from local people who, understandably, want to remain in their community."

The site at Oswin Grove which had suffered from serious flooding in the past was gifted by Richmondshire council.The new houses have been built at a higher level so they will not be affected by possible flooding and flood alleviation has also been carried out in the village.

Broadacres, were given £352,000 by Homes England towards building the five three-bedroom homes and five two-bedroom homes for rent and one two-bedroom home for sale via shared ownership.

Richmondshire council leader Councillor Yvonne Peacock said: "I am pleased this former District Council owned site has been re-used for housing. This has helped retain individuals and families within one of the District’s rural communities."