A new councillor has been co-opted to Malton Town Council.

Josh Vale, is aiming to support the authority's green goals and use his experiences to support local people.

He said: "I run my own residential lettings business which I founded in 2010 and incorporated as a limited company in 2019.

"I moved to Norton five years ago and since then have volunteered at St Peter’s church on the PCC - organising and running the church’s special Jubilee event in 2022, and at Rillington FC (now Slingsby Utd following their move) as the club secretary.

Josh added: "In the past I have worked as a barman, teacher, solicitor and administrator before founding my own business and so I understand how hard it can be to get by on a limited budget and how difficult it can be to get back into work if you lose your job.

"My experiences, I believe, will help me in my new role as I want to support the people of Malton with their hopes and aspirations and help the town become a high employment, high skilled town while supporting those who are struggling to find work and those with disabilities who are finding it hard in this tough financial climate.

Both my children attend St Mary’s Primary School in Malton and my wife and I have been proud to call this our town since our move in 2018."

Josh said: "I am hoping to support Malton Town Council’s green goals going forward and will be looking to found a network of electric charging points through the town to ensure a number of different options for residents while also helping people access renewable solutions for their individual energy needs.

"In my spare time I’m a keen sportsman - enjoying football and caving in the Yorkshire Dales and Peak District, and, somewhat controversially for a Yorkshire town, I’m a big Aston Villa fan.

!I’m really looking forward to this opportunity and am hoping to work hard for the people of Malton for many years to come."