AN event for elderly or disabled people and their families and carers will be held next month.

The Independent Living Awareness Day is aimed at those living in the Hambleton and Richmondshire areas.

It is an informal event organised by the Independent Living Schemes charity and is designed to offer information about what services the charity offers.

The charity is contracted by North Yorkshire County Council to offer a support, advice and payroll service to elderly or disabled clients who use Direct Payments to fund their care needs.

Direct Payments are awards made by the local authority to an individual in place of a local authority service. They can be used to employ staff, purchase respite care, purchase equipment or pay for transport.

The payments allow individuals to have independence, choice and control over how their care needs are met.

The event takes place on October 3 at The Golden Lion Hotel, Northallerton, from 10am to 3.30pm. Disabled parking is available in the hotel car park.

Another 14 charities, voluntary organisations and local authority representatives will also attend to give information about the services they offer.