A DEVELOPMENT of affordable homes has been officially unveiled.

The Cornucopia scheme, in Norton, has seen a pub converted into two houses and four flats.

The development is managed by Ryedale Housing Association, part of the Yorkshire Housing Group.

Laura Peacock, development project assistant for Yorkshire Housing, said: "Developing schemes such as Cornucopia is very rewarding, as it encourages local people to remain in the area where they were born and brought up, instead of being priced out of the market.

"It's fantastic to be unveiling the development after all the hard work that has gone into it."

It is the first scheme to be completed in the Ryedale area which has received North Yorkshire County Council second homes council tax funding.

The council has set up a £4m investment fund, which is being match-funded with a further £4m from the Housing Corporation.

The initiative aims to invest more than £15m in affordable homes in North Yorkshire over the next five years.

Richard Panter, the Housing Corporation's investment manager for Yorkshire, said: "This project, bringing a commercial building into residential use in a thriving market town, is a perfect example of what we are trying to achieve - sustainable affordable homes in strong communities."