A NORTH Yorkshire town is set to see its biggest population explosion in a century, according to new figures.

Details obtained from Scarborough Borough Council under the Freedom of Information Act have predicted a dramatic rise in the number of over-65s living in the area over the next two decades, which the authority says will put a strain on resources.

The age group would make up a third of the borough’s total population, which is expected to grow to 122,800 over the next 20 years, a 13.2 per cent increase.

The number of 15 to 19-year-olds is expected to fall by ten per cent and, by 2033, the borough is forecast to be home to 3,400 people aged 90 or over.

NHS North Yorkshire and York chief executive Jayne Brown said: “The increase in our population of those who are over 65 is something we have already made strides to address, but there remains a lot of work to be done.”