RYEDALE urgently needs more land for companies to build premises and create jobs, according to one of the district's leading businessmen.

Arthur Woodhouse, head of Woodhouse-Barry Construction, of Sheriff Hutton, is to build 32 units ranging from 2000sq ft to 5000sq ft as an extension to the village's industrial estate, which he has developed over the past 20 years.

But he says it is likely to be one of the last industrial developments in Ryedale for years because of restrictions imposed by the Government.

He says the problem is that Ryedale has an acute shortage of industrial land available.

His company has a five-year programme to develop the site at Sheriff Hutton but, once it is completed, it will in effect have utilised all the land available for business growth in Ryedale for the next 15 years under the amount allowed by the Government.

"The estates at Pickering and Kirkbymoorside and York Road, Malton, are virtually full," he said.

"Ryedale needs more space for businesses because it will provide local employment and be a great boon to the district."

There are 23 businesses on Sheriff Hutton's existing industrial estate, employing scores of local people.

Work is expected to start on the estate's extension next month and there has already been keen interest from companies wanting to take units, said Mr Woodhouse.