A CLUB for youngsters, a new village hall, and a state-of-the-art playground have won top awards.

Lockton Friday Night Kids' Club scooped the Yorkshire Rural Community Council's (YRCC) best project for young people.

The Anne Hopkins Memorial Award is presented each year in memory of the Skelton based YRCC's former deputy director.

A committee of parents in Lockton, near Pickering, run the after-school club for children who are aged four years and upwards.

Christine Collins, one of the leaders, said that children of families using the YHA hostel in Lockton and holidaymakers staying at the beauty spot, are also encouraged to come along.

"It brings benefits to everyone" she said.

"In such a remote community the club has become central to young people's social lives and has the full support of the community".

Ian Strong, the chief executive, said: "It was a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements and successes of some of the community projects across the area.

"As an organisation we rarely get the opportunity to give recognition to the community projects, many of which the YRCC has helped."

Thorpe Willoughby Playground Scheme won the overall Village Ventures Award, while the second place went to a scheme to build a £500,000 state of-the-art village hall at Hinderwell near Whitby.

Third place was awarded to Cloughton Community Celebrations and Pantomime Committee.

Record Playground Equipment and Taylors of Harrogate sponsored the awards.

Village Ventures is held each year in rotation in three sub-regions on a three-year cycle.

Next year YRCC will be running the competition in Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate and Richmondshire.

The five categories are community involvement and benefit, use of resources, innovation plus planning and management.