A £7m community "hub" is about to come online, housing a range of services.

The former highways depot in Stokesley has been transformed under a partnership agreement between North Yorkshire County Council, Hambleton District Council and the Broadacres Housing Association.

Known as Town Close, it will house a modern library and information centre, a council one-stop-shop, a home for the Community Care Association and rooms for hire.

A major part of the scheme will provide suitably designed extra-care apartments with 24-hour care and communal facilities on-site for older people in the surrounding area.

The apartments will replace Springfield House residential home and those residents will be moving in later this week. The other facilities will open in September.

County council deputy leader Chris Metcalfe said: "The new complex will give us the opportunity to further enhance a whole range of community services for the benefit of local people."

The chairman of Broadacres, the Reverend Brian Mayne, said the housing association's relationship with the county and district councils had been further cemented by the scheme.

He added: "In particular, the new extra care development will provide a superb 21st Century solution for the accommodation and care needs of elderly people in Stokesley."