SELBY'S MP has laid out the big issues for the district in 2008.

John Grogan spoke at the end of a year which saw parts of the district hit by flooding again.

But it was also the year in which Selby District Council and Mr Grogan managed to secure £7 million funding from central Government for a new community hospital.

This was the year that saw the Abbey bank, in Market Cross, raided in April; and the year in which Tate & Lyle ended its 67-year history with the town.

Mr Grogan said there were a number of challenges - and events to savour - coming up in 2008.

"Looking forward to next year, there are a variety of things going on," he said. "Selby's flood defences will be completed in the spring.

"That will be the culmination of an eight-year campaign to get state-of-the-art flood defences for the town and Barlby."

He said much time would be spent on progressing with the rebuilding of Selby War Memorial Hospital, in Doncaster Road.

He said: "After the euphoria of getting the funding for Selby hospital there will be the hard work of detailed design and obtaining planning permission."

The new Doncaster Road complex will include purpose-built offices for the district and county councils.

Mr Grogan, a backer of our Cut The Closures campaign, said: "The early part of the year is likely to be dominated by the campaign to save as many post offices as possible, including the Flaxley Road branch."

On transport, he said: "I'd like to see the Metrocard extended from West Yorkshire into Selby district, which would help hard-pressed commuters."

He continued: "Finally, 2008 will be put up or shut up time for Yorkshire Forward, regarding funding for Selby Renaissance projects, including improvements to the bank, once the flood defences have been completed."

He said the development agency had £5 million to spend on such projects, but was yet to release any funding.