RESIDENTS and staff at Pinder House in Skipton celebrated Halloween by carving out 30 pumpkins - to mark three decades of the charity which has recently taken over management of the house.

The charity Foundation is now running Pinder House, which provides accommodation for homeless 16 to 25-year-olds with support needs.

Foundation started in 1984 in the north of England to help people needing housing support, but has grown to now work with the socially excluded to help them gain independence within the community. It is currently trying to raise £30,000 to start up a new social enterprise.

A spokesman explained: "We have plans to create a rural, woodland enterprise that offers support for vulnerable young people to help them realise their ambitions and potential because we recognise for example that the unemployment rate for 16 to 24 year olds living in rural areas is four times that for older workers.

"Working with a diverse range of partner agencies and organisations, we have a reputation for transforming troubled lives and for the enthusiasm, commitment and quality of service which have made us one of the largest organisations in the North of England providing essential services to socially excluded groups."