BOSSES of Yorkshire Water (YW) have agreed to hold a public meeting for residents of a small North Yorkshire village who are worried about the cost of connecting to a multi-thousand pound sewage scheme.

Great Barugh, near Malton, is one of several villages which is due to get a first-time sewage treatment scheme provided by the company.

The water company first has to wait for local authority approval of the scheme.

Peter Milner, chairman of the parish council which covers the area, said "We are very concerned about the connection charges. We are questioning the economics of the project."

Councillor Milner said only the main part of the village from the Golden Lion pub and down the hill, was likely to benefit from the system - about 20 properties. At present all have either septic tanks or new properties have their own treatment plants.

Despite several requests, YW has given no indication of the likely cost, he said.

The parish councillors are also worried that YW plans to use an existing drain for the scheme. They question how suitable it will be because of its size and age.

Houses on the fringes of Great Barugh are not likely to be connected to the system, said Coun Milner.

Clare Deacon, YW's communications administrator, said "The scheme is still with the planning officers at North Yorkshire County Council."

Other villages in line for a sewage treatment plant are Marton, Scrayingham, Kirby Misperton and Firby together with the cliff top village of Ravenscar, north of Scarborough.