LIBRARIES across North Yorkshire are about to play a major part in a service to boost employment prospects for people in rural areas.

The programme provides unemployed people with the opportunity to get specialist job-search help and advice without having to travel to a job centre.

Through the county council's library and information centres, job-seekers are being allowed free Internet access and the chance to view current vacancies.

A team of co-ordinators will be available to help the unemployed living in the outreach areas and offer guidance, information and support.

The North Yorkshire Outreach Project has been developed by the county council's employment training team and is funded by the European Social Fund.

The authority's executive member with responsibility for employment training, Carl Les, said: "North Yorkshire Outreach is a positive initiative providing job search services for rural communities, therefore ensuring that everyone receives the same opportunities regardless of where they live.

"This project also widens awareness to residents in these areas of the excellent range of library and information services available to them."

Outreach sessions are scheduled to take place across the county, where a representative will guide people through the programme.

To register for the service, which is free either go to one of the libraries listed or contact delivery manager Celia Tyler on (01653) 698925.

Regular sessions will be held at Bedale, on Wednesdays, from 2pm to 4pm; Northallerton, Tuesdays, 9.30am to noon; Catterick, Mondays, 1pm to 4pm; Pickering, Tuesdays, 1pm to 4pm, and Fridays, 1.30pm to 4pm; Easingwold, Thursdays 2pm to 4pm and Eastfield, Scarborough, Wednesdays, 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Richmond, Mondays, 9.30am to noon; Great Ayton, Thursdays, 9.30am to noon; Ripon, Fridays, 9.30am to noon; Hawes, Tuesdays, 2pm to 4pm and Hunmanby, Scarborough, Wednesdays, 2pm to 4pm.

Kirkbymoorside, Fridays 10am to 12.30pm; Sleights, Mondays, 9.30am to noon and Malton, Tuesdays, 9.30am to noon and Fridays, 1.30pm to 4pm.

Thirsk, Thursdays, 1pm to 4pm; Masham, Wednesdays, 10am to 12.30pm; and Whitby, Mondays, 1pm to 4pm.