COUNCILLORS in North Yorkshire have backed a call to stop young people leaving rural areas.

At North Yorkshire County Council's quarterly meeting in Northallerton yesterday the council supported a motion which recognised a "worrying outflow of young people and young families" from rural areas, and claimed if it was not stopped, communities could fail within two generations.

The council pledged to work through its Stronger Communities policy initiative with partner organisations and do what it could to encourage people to stay.

Council leader John Weighell said: "This is an issue which affects a great number of small and very small communities, and has done so for a long time.

"What we are saying today is that we will look to see if there are realistic ways in which this important issue can be addressed."

County Councillor John Blackie said: "This is a vital issue for those of us who live in communities which are constantly seeing their services eroded. It comes on top of the lack of affordable housing and quality employment opportunities that characterise deeply rural and rural areas.

"By making this declaration today, North Yorkshire County Council has demonstrated that it holds the issue of rural depopulation and community cohesion very dear, and will do all it can to support those communities which may be at risk."