A village police house, which was extended in 1986 to provide a rural beat office, is to be pulled down.

Council planing officers have given their backing for the police building at North Stainley, near Ripon, to be replaced with a house.

Harrogate Borough Council's planning committee approved the plan.

A spokesman for the council said the home would be built of brick with a blue slate roof to blend in with others in the village.

The North Stainley police house is one of many throughout North Yorkshire being converted or making way for new homes.

They are surplus to requirements because changes in police methods mean there is no longer a need for beat houses in many smaller communities