A GOVERMENT-funded project to tackle problems affecting young people in rural areas has been largely successful, independent evaluators have found.

The Ryedale Regeneration Partnership (RRP), led by the district council, used the funding to implement a series of projects.

They included access improvements to leisure activities, such as a popular skate park, the provision of engineering and information technology training facilities, and those with a housing and environmental focus.

An initial allocation of £2.3m in Single Regeneration Budget funding was made in 1999 and since then, another £6.7m has come from public and private sources.

A team from Leeds Metropolitan University carried out the evaluation as the funding was coming to an end

Their report found the RRP has been a successful partnership that highlighted problems affecting young people in rural areas.

The issue of young people leaving the area continues, with the survey finding more young people are staying on at school or college until 18 and 19, but then leaving the area for further study or to travel.

But perceptions of the area were improving, with many young people positive about Ryedale as a place to live, but still believing job opportunities were limited.

A spokesman for the university team said: "The programme has improved facilities and training for young people in Ryedale. However, key constraints like housing and transportation remain difficult to resolve."

The council's economic development manager, Andrew Leeming, said: "This report highlights the importance of the work that has been undertaken over the past five years and how this has helped to develop opportunities for young people in terms of housing, training, and future employment."