WORK is under way on the first homes to be built in a Yorkshire Dales village for more than a century.

The two semi-detached properties are in Castle Bolton, Wensleydale.

Residents believe the last houses to go up in the village were built in the 19th Century.

Villager and owner of the development Jill Calvert said that even she was surprised when the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority gave her permission to build.

She said: "I was astounded, but it did take us more than two years. We submitted plans to convert an old barn on the site and these were thrown out without even going to committee."

Rebecca Dinsdale, 75, has lived in Castle Bolton all her life

She said: "I think the last houses were built more than 150 years ago.

"A lot of visitors say they hope nobody is ever allowed to build in the village.

"As long as it doesn't go any further, I don't mind."

To get planning permission, the properties were designed to be in keeping with the rest of the village.

Mrs Calvert said: "All the stone is second hand from little fallen-down buildings we have.

"Hopefully they won't look new," said Mrs Calvert.

The two homes are overlooked by 14th Century Bolton Castle and an archaeologist is standing by in case builders unearth anything of historical interest.