A RYEDALE councillor has been recognised for his services to youth enterprise.

Cllr William Oxley, chairman of Ryedale District Council, was presented with the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Award for services to Youth Enterprise at the Hull Global Enterprise Week Awards.

Cllr Oxley has worked with John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank (JCYEB) on a pilot project aimed at those aged between 13 and 21 who live in Norton, Malton and Pickering considering running their own business.

The first people to be selected were Will Hodsman Summers for his new engineering business, Joe Foxton for his health and motivational awareness business and Ben Lawson for his cycle training and repair business.

Charles Cracknell, secretary of JCYEB, said: “We were delighted to recognise the 25 years work of William Oxley for supporting enterprising young people in Yorkshire, so with young entrepreneurs William Hodsman-Summers, Joe Foxton and Ben Lawson, who nominated him, it was arranged for an official painting to be done of William as a thank you for all his support and dedication over the years.

"I have known William for 15 years and was delighted that his work with young entrepreneurs and other business organisations was recognised as he is one of the unsung enterprise champions in Yorkshire."

Cllr Oxley said: “I am delighted to receive this recognition and it be presented by three of Ryedale’s budding young entrepreneurs. I hope more will take advantage of this support from the JCYEB.”