WORK on a £4.6m scheme to build houses in a derelict area of Leeming Bar starts next week.

Contractors will move on to the site in the village on Monday, but demolition work will not start for a further week.

Chevin Housing Association has bought seven terraced houses and an adjacent paddock, which will be developed into 25 homes. Local people are expected to begin moving in next year.

The houses will be built using green construction methods and materials, such as timber-frame structures and high levels of insulation.

Hambleton District Council is contributing £535,000 to the scheme, with £901,000 coming from the Housing Corporation and the remainder from Chevin Housing Association.

Traffic will be reduced during demolition work to single file controlled by lights on the main Northallerton Road, from June 15.

Councillor David Blades, the council's cabinet member for housing, said: "This is a very exciting scheme for Leeming Bar - not only will we be tidying up a rundown area but we will be creating affordable, sustainable homes for local people. The possible delays are unavoidable in order to ensure safety of the site."