CONCERN has been expressed about the knock-on effect of a decision by Ryedale District Council to withdraw its advisory staff from Kirkbymoorside Library on Wednesdays from March next year in a bid to save costs.

Now, an appeal is being made for volunteers to step forward to help ease the situation.

Mayor Coun Chris Dowie said she had been in talks with both Ryedale District Council and North Yorkshire County Council about the issue.

“I am very disappointed Ryedale is pulling out and am very concerned about the withdrawal of services,” she told a meeting of the town council on Monday. “I think it is very much a backward step.”

She has arranged a meeting with an official at the district council to discuss whether it would be possible to hold a venue where they could recruit volunteers.

Coun Dowie said: “My concern is that people coming in on a Wednesday like to speak to someone face-to-face on problems such as benefits and some things they don’t understand but from March they will have to phone Ryedale House.

“I don’t think many people have realised the full implications.

“If they don’t have a car they have to get two buses to get to Malton. It will have a big impact.”