Dial a Ride, which runs a minibus service to help people get out and about, has moved from Allatt House in West Parade Road to new headquarters at Londesborough Road.

Manager Julie Banks said: "We really needed room to grow and expand our office space. We've needed to move for a while now and have been looking for the ideal place. The drivers have already been saying how much better it is here – there's plenty more parking space and room to bring our buses round the back for checks and cleaning."

Other planned improvements include internal garages, a training room and tea room. The charity is hoping to secure funding from North Yorkshire County Council and the National Lottery fund, as around £100,000 is needed to complete the work and expand the service.

Mrs Banks said: "It is all quite exciting, but it was strange locking up the old office for the last time. We've been based at Allatt House for over 20 years and I'd worked at the same office for 14 years.

"But as soon as we walked in here, everyone was really excited."