HAMBLETON has been hailed as "a good place to live" by the majority of residents who took part in a major survey.

Conducted by the district council, the report found 93 per cent of 1,600 residents questioned as part of a five-month long research project thought the district was a great place to live.

It also found that, in general, nearly 70 per cent of residents were satisfied with the way in which the district council was run.

There were also positive perceptions of the authority relating to such issues as how residents are kept informed, confidence in the authority, keeping good ethical standards, ease of contacting the council and leisure facilities.

However, those surveyed picked out key areas which require more attention in the district, which covers the market towns of Easingwold, Thirsk, Northallerton, Bedale and Stokesley.

These issues included:

More provision for children and young people

Bigger police presence

Improved road and pavement maintenance

Reduced council tax

Better provision for the elderly

Improved access for people with disabilities

Reduced traffic volume and speed

Council leader June Imeson said: "This market research was essentially a health check for the district council, to find out just what affects people's quality of life and what they think of the council.

"Various key issues have been raised and we will be looking at them over the coming months.

"We wanted to know what the public feel is important for Hambleton to help us determine the council's future aims, objectives and service priorities."

Coun Imeson added: "While we are delighted with the very positive outcome of this market research, we are certainly not complacent.

"We will be studying the results over the coming months and acting upon them wherever possible."

Coun Denis Howey, the new chairman of Hambleton District Council, lives in the village of Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe, near Thirsk. He chose to move there and has stayed for 25 years, working as a freelance journalist.

The village is also home to Jim Wight, whose father Alf Wight created the books on North Yorkshire vet James Herriot.

Coun Howey said: "Hambleton is a very pleasant area in which to live - close to Herriot country and the Dales.

"It also has one of the lowest council taxes in the country. Out of 247 shire districts, we have the third lowest council tax and that is obviously an attraction."