ONE of the team who helped take North Yorkshire into the 21st Century is retiring at the end of this month.

Mike Moore, North Yorkshie County Council's corporate director of environmental services since 1996, will step down on March 31.

He became a chartered civil engineer in 1971 and served in various posts in Cornwall, Bedfordshire and Wiltshire before coming to North Yorkshire.

"The post of director of environmental services is the best in North Yorkshire," he said.

"The satisfaction gained from working in and helping to shape and preserve such a wonderful county has been nothing short of remarkable."

Executive member for environmental services, Peter Sowray, said: "I have worked with Mike for many years and I have always been impressed by his breadth of knowledge.

"His advice has always been very well received, and will be missed in the future."