SOME areas of the Yorkshire Dales are the most deprived in the country, according to a Government report.

Four wards in North Yorkshire's upper dales are among the 50 most deprived in the UK's 32,000 council wards.

The 2004 Index of Multiple Deprivation shows Addlebrough ward, in upper Wensleydale, as 21st worst in the UK, with Reeth and Arkengarthdale 23rd, Swaledale 30th and Penhill 41st.

The figures are included in a report which measures housing affordability, homelessness and overcrowding, and access to services such as schools, doctors and sports facilities.

Councillor Yvonne Peacock, who represents the Addlebrough ward, said: "We have beautiful countryside to live in but we have no services.

"For example, we have to travel the furthest to a swimming pool of anybody in the country.

"If this was a deprived area in a town, money would pour in.

"Another problem is the affordability of housing. Our incomes are below average but we have above average house prices.

"This means young people wanting to stay in the area can't buy a house."

Richmondshire council has placed improving access to services among its key targets.

Its leader, Councillor John Blackie, said: "In 2000, the results of the index were followed by Government funding which concentrated on urban deprivation.

"The only index in 2000 that didn't attract any central Government funding for rural issues was access to services, which is why the situation now is even worse that it was four years ago."

Other wards featured in the index include Hawes and High Abbotside, which is 171st worst, Lower Wensleydale is ranked 55th worst, Gilling West 60th, Newsham and Eppleby 76th and Bolton Castle 134th.

The report will be discussed by North Yorkshire Council's Richmondshire area committee at Middleham Key Centre on Monday.