Warning issued to the elderly

ELDERLY people are being warned to be on their guard following two burglaries. The break-ins happened on Friday night in the Hambleton Place area of Thirsk, but nothing appears to have been taken in either incident. Both houses were bungalows occupied by elderly people and were broken into through a back window. The second break-in happened between 9.15pm and 9.45pm at the home of a woman who was in the house at the time and who may have disturbed the intruder. Police are asking residents to keep an eye on the homes of elderly people. Anyone who saw anything suspicious in Hambleton Place on Friday night is asked to call Northallerton CID, or call the witness line on (01609) 789789.

FOOD GUIDE: An updated edition of Ryedale's Local Food Directory has been published. The free booklet is available from local tourist information centres and all Ryedale District Council offices. The booklet tells people where they can buy locally grown and produced food in Ryedale.

PLAN REFUSED: The character and appearance of a village in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty would be affected by raising the roof of a barn for conversion into a two-storey home, planners said. Harrogate Borough Council has turned down an application by Waterark Development in respect of the property at Hillside, Grewelthorpe, near Ripon.

STORE'S BID: A second bid by Debenham's, Harrogate's biggest department store, in Parliament Street, to display high level individual lettering on its premises, has been refused by Harrogate Borough Council. Councillors said the conservation area scheme, because of its height, would be detrimental to the character of the premises and fail to safeguard quality of amenity and environment.

PARKING SCHEME: A scheme to ease parking problems at Harrogate District Hospital has been given planning permission by the borough council. Councillors have approved a plan allowing hospital staff to use the car park at Harrogate Rugby Union Club's Claro Road ground. The application was made by Harrogate Health Care National Health Service Trust and will allow staff to park there Monday to Friday, between 8am and 6pm.