NORTH Yorkshire County Council is in the running for three national awards for the way its staff and councillors manage risk.

The council has been shortlisted for awards by Alarm, the national forum for risk management in the public sector.

Initiatives for asset protection in schools, getting risk management on to the corporate agenda, and ensuring health and safety are all in the running.

Judges said the council's initiatives had demonstrated an excellent step forward for the authority while at the same time reinforcing the previous risk management structures.

Risk management advisor Susan O'Donnell said: "We have made considerable progress in raising the awareness of risk within the council, so it's a huge affirmation to have that progress recognised by Alarm.

"The enhanced arrangements have given everyone a clearer understanding of risk management and their role towards it.

"We have encouraged members and officers to remain focused on the services we deliver into the local community, while enabling them to better understand and plan for the various risks which may prevent us improving services in the way we hope to."

The award winners will be announced next month.