A senior Government civil servant has been on a fact-finding visit to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA).

Peter Unwin, who has taken over as Director General of the Natural Environment Group at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, spent a day with Authority officers and members learning more about the role of England's nine National Parks.

It was very much a case of him familiarising himself with the issues facing National Parks

David Butterworth - YDNPA's Chief Executive

David Butterworth, the YDNPA's Chief Executive, said: "It was very much a case of him familiarising himself with the issues facing National Parks and with the role of the National Park authorities.

"We talked about the importance of tourism to the local economy, support for sustaining the economic development of the National Parks and the various recreational opportunities available like horse riding, walking, cycling and the use of Green Lanes."

Other topics covered during the visit ranged from support for upland farming to the hugely-successful Limestone Country Project, a joint venture involving the YDNPA, English Nature, the EU LIFE-nature fund, the National Trust and other partners.

The five-year programme aims to preserve species of plants and flowers currently at risk from heavy grazing by sheep by encouraging farmers to return to mixed livestock grazing using native cattle breeds.

There was also a chance for Mr Unwin to get out and about and to see part of the 52-mile section of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail that runs through the National Park and to look round a Victorian Hoffman lime kiln near Langcliffe.