FARMERS and landowners have been given a big thank you for their help in the on-going development of a 52-mile section of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail through the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Gareth Evans, the YDNPA's Pennine Bridleway Project Officer, said: "The farmers and landowners have played a vital role in enabling us to open up the trail through the National Park.

"We would not be able to do it without their involvement and co-operation and we are very grateful for their continued support."

Work on the route has ranged from improving some existing stretches of public rights of way to creating new ones.

Gareth and his team are working towards a target of opening 88 per cent of the stretch through the National Park by next April and all of it by 2009.

Steve Macare, a YDNPA Member and chair of the Pennine Bridleway Steering Group, said: "The development of the National Trail has proved an exciting and challenging project that has involved a wide range of issues.

"More than 70 per cent of the route is now available for use to National Trail standard and we are very pleased with the progress being made.

"We would like to thank the YDNPA, Natural England and other partners for the success so far and we are very grateful to the landowners, farmers and parish councils involved in the project for their help and co-operation."