NORTH Yorkshire's rural towns and parishes are being beseiged by regeneration initiatives, according to Lord Feversham of Helmsley.

He claims groups such as Action for Market Towns (AMT), the new Market Towns Renaissance (MTR), and Community Investment Prospectus are all targeting the same towns, making it difficult for local groups to know what money to apply for.

He said: "The Government seems incapable of having one rural policy and instead spews out initiative after initiative. We don't know which avenue to pursue."

The council deferred a final decision on joining the new AMT for Yorkshire and the Humber, launched last week at Thirsk, pending a meeting being held in Helmsley when members of the regeneration team will be in the town to meet community and business leaders.

Lord Feversham a member of the council, said "We should go along and see what they have in mind and encourage them to spend it in Helmsley."

Councillor John Buffoni said it was vital that towns had quality facilities to attract visitors.