FAMILIES living in one North Yorkshire village will soon benefit from a selection of new homes thanks to a local housing provider.

Jephson Housing Association has begun work to construct three new affordable family houses for rent and shared ownership in the village of Giggleswick, near Settle.

The two-bedroomed houses, which will be completed in phases, will be let to people from the local area.

Representatives from Jephson were joined by colleagues from Craven District Council on site to mark the start of construction works.

Stuart Shore, Jephson regional director for the north, said: “We are delighted to be beginning work on another development of affordable family homes in our region.

"There is a great shortage of accommodation in rural areas like Giggleswick, and we are grateful to Craven District Council, without whose support these new homes would not have been possible.”

Coun Richard Foster, lead member for housing at Craven District Council, said: “I am delighted to see much-needed affordable accommodation being developed in Giggleswick, where local people are often priced out of the market.”