MORE than a fifth of the North Yorkshire population is over 60, a Government report has revealed.

And almost half are over 45 - a figure nearly two-and-a-half times the national average.

A report produced by the Leader Plus project claims the region's growing reputation as a retirement home for senior citizens is putting more and more pressure on public services.

Written under the auspices of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the report will form the basis of North Yorkshire bids under the Leader Plus funding scheme.

The project invites community groups and organisations to apply for funding to help regenerate their areas.

To gear up for applications, funding chiefs, helped by information from the county council, drew up a report indicating the state of the region.

It reveals that 20.5 per cent of people who live in North Yorkshire are aged over 60.

And it also notes that about 45 per cent are aged over 45.

"The average for the English population is 18 per cent who are 45 years of age and over," the report states.

"The North Yorkshire figure is 44.8 per cent and is significantly higher still in certain areas.

"This ageing population in rural areas puts further strain on public services."

The report also reveals that low numbers of young people stay in the region, there are low levels of post-school qualifications and businesses cite a lack of skilled candidates as their main problem.

However, the region is also identified as having low levels of unemployment and capitalising on its cultural resources.

Updated: 08:30 Friday, October 05, 2001