A new operation has been set up to maintain North Yorkshire's roads - and it has already taken delivery of its first contract-designed vehicle.

The county council has joined up with existing design consultant Mouchel and new maintenance contractor Raynesway Construction Southern to form Highways North Yorkshire.

Replacement vehicles are the first phase in a programme of upgrades. They are designed for multi-purpose general maintenance and equipped with compressors, a crane, equipment storage and hand-wash facilities.

Raynesway is working with the county council on a strategy of investment in facilities including salt barns, depots and offices.

Vehicles will be maintained at a facility in Northallerton, which led to closure of a satellite depot seven miles away.

There were fears that jobs would be cut as a result of the move, but the company and the county council have worked together to ensure there are no compulsory job losses.

The contract director for RCS, Lawrence Ireland, said: "There is more than enough work here for everyone employed by the company and it is simply a matter of reorganising the business."