A PIONEERING green initiative could see one of the region's most spectacular landscapes used to meet local energy needs.

Community buildings, schools and small businesses are among those that could benefit from the new venture on the North York Moors.

The project will investigate using local woodland as a viable and renewable energy source to meet the needs of rural communities. Spin-off advantages could include job creation and reduced carbon emissions in the region.

The Biomass Development Service has been part-funded by a grant of £20,000 from the park authority's own sustainable development fund.

Through it, the organisation Yorwoods will research the potential of using existing woodland within the national park, as well as in the Howardian Hills and in the Ryedale area, to supply woodfuel to the local community and promote new biomass schemes.

The project will also support the development of the supply chain from managed woodland through to end-user through training and advice which could ultimately lead to the creation of jobs in the area.

Most forms of renewable energy harness energy from the sun, but because the use of woodfuel and other forms of biomass - plant and animal matter - is not dependent on external factors, such as the weather, it can be used on demand.

That allows it to be used in a wider range of applications, including heating, where reliability and continuity of energy supply is desirable.

The park's sustainable development officer, Janine Morley, said: "The sustainable development fund has been up and running for five years now and has supported a range of recycling, conservation and educational projects, but more and more we are seeing interest in projects looking into energy use - both energy efficiency and energy generation from renewable sources.

"I think this will only increase as more and more people become aware of the impact that their own lives make on their surroundings."

The project builds on a programme implemented by Yorwoods, in the Yorkshire Dales late last year.

Biomass Development Services project officer Ben Scotting said: "This has resulted in a number of woodfuel systems being installed, therefore contributing to greater sustainable management of woodlands, reduced fuel costs for the customer and less burning of fossil fuels."