YOUNG people who face being forced to move because of a shortage of affordable housing now have hope of getting accommodation.

The acute housing shortage for people in a large part of the North York Moors is being explored in a study by the National Park Authority.

The problem is the one most frequently highlighted by district, town and parish councillors.

Now the Helmsley-based authority has produced a report and suggestions in which homes for local people could be provided.

The ideas include re-using old buildings, a new policy on in-fill sites, confining new properties to local occupancy, annexing accommodation, and extensions.

David Walker, the park's policy manager and author of the report, said the re-use of rural buildings has the potential to provide a significant source of housing for local needs.

He has put forward a number of issues for discussion with Ryedale district, Scarborough borough, and Hambleton district councils.

But he warned that allowing former farm buildings in isolated areas to be converted could see them lose all of their character.

Mr Walker said authority members were also concerned about the potential impact on the housing stock of small homes being extended.

The park's planning blue-print lists 90 villages where the principle of building new housing on in-fill sites is accepted.

The authority has accepted the report and it will now go out for consultation.