THE population of North Yorkshire swelled by more than ten per cent over the past 20 years, Census 2001 figures show.

The new figures show the current population is 569,700, up from 511,500 in 1981, and an overall rise of 11.4 per cent.

The last 20 years has also seen people from all corners of the UK flocking to Selby, making it the number one place in Yorkshire for inward migration.

The census shows that Selby's population leapt by 22.7 per cent from 62,300 in 1981 to 76,500 in 2001.

John Bedworth, chairman of Selby District Council, said Selby's community had always been close-knit, but friendly and willing to accept newcomers.

He said: "I'm sure that had an effect. It is a strong community area, but a friendly one.

"The economy will also have been a major factor. It has always been buoyant and there is a good standard of living here."

Eileen Scothern, the district council's principal economic development officer, said she expected Selby's population growth to slow over the next two decades.

She said: "Over the next 20 years it will be by about half the rate of inward migration and growth.

Ms Scothern said some of the people arriving in Selby over the last 20 years were miners with jobs in the town's coalfield, due to close in 18 months time.

She said the council was hopeful of finding the soon-to-be redundant miners local job opportunities.

She said: "We are working very closely with the Coalfield Taskforce on it."

Another reason for the population growth was greenfield business relocation and residential development, said Ms Scothern.

Updated: 11:37 Tuesday, October 01, 2002