TEMPERATURES in Ryedale are set to drop below freezing over the coming days – we’ve put together a list of warm banks for those feeling the strain during the cost-of-living crisis.

BBC Weather, in association with MeteoGroup, is predicting light snow showers this evening (December 8) with temperatures dropping to -2C tomorrow (December 9).

These bitterly cold temperatures are expected to continue into next week with highs of 2C or 3C with lows of -1C expected from Saturday (December 10) for most of next week.

Households in Ryedale struggling with the cost of living are being directed to community and financial support.

North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) is working with Community Support Organisations (CSOs), which have extensive knowledge on locally-run projects.

The CSOs can direct people to local support, such as food banks or food share schemes, community venues offering warm spaces or support groups.

There are 23 CSOs across the county, which co-ordinate volunteer and community support in each area – including Ryedale Carers Support and Scarborough, Whitby, Ryedale Carers Resource.

Libraries are also on hand to provide people with a warm and friendly welcome, where people can pick up a book, join an activity, or find out details of other events in their communities.

Some community spaces in North Yorkshire are looking at extending their opening hours and the range of activities they have on offer, to provide a warm and inviting venue over winter.

Community venues which have the resources to offer help in this way are encouraged to register on the website www.warmwelcome.uk which provides an interactive map which people can search, along with information packs for venues.

Warm banks

Warm banks are situated across the Ryedale area for those who need them.

Malton

In Malton, warm banks can be found at the Salvation Army in Norton, and at Malton Library, St Michael Street.

Pickering

In Pickering, Pickering Library, The Roperty, offers a place for people to go to get warm.

Eastfield

In Eastfield, people can go to More Than Books Community library, High Street, to get warm.

Scarborough

There are also multiple warm banks in the Scarborough area.

These can be found at Burniston Methodist Church, Newby and Scalby Library and Information Centre, St Columba Church, Scarborough Salvation Army, Westborough Methodist Church, Scarborough Library, and at Scarborough Catholic Parishes.

NYCC’s assistant director for policy, partnerships and communities, Neil Irving, said: “We know not everyone is able to leave their home during icy or very cold weather and dark evenings and so we are asking people to look out for family, friends and neighbours over the colder months.

“If you are concerned for someone vulnerable during the cold weather, or are struggling with the cold yourself, CSQs are on hand to help.”

Further support to help with the cost of living can be found on NYCC’s website: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/cost-living-support