LOTTERY funding is being sought to create a bridleway on a disused railway track in North Yorkshire.

The county council and Harrogate Borough Council have agreed in principle to the creation of the bridleway, between Bilton and Ripley.

Constraints on the county's Local Transport Plan funding has led both councils to seek Lottery funding for the scheme.

The Bilton to Ripley route is one of the schemes which make up the Sustrans' Connect2 bid, which is one of six projects competing for funding in a TV vote later this year.

Sustrans aims to support projects that encourage people to travel in ways that improve health and reduce harm to the environment.

The route has been selected for inclusion in the Sustrans bid from an original list of 400 submissions from councils and other organisations across the UK.

However, an even bigger public response is needed.

Local cabinet member for transport Don Mackenzie said: "Sustrans are asking for the public to make contact with them, either by visiting the website or text messages, before the TV vote in December."

Support can be registered at the Connect2 website, www.sustransconnect2.org.uk, or by texting Connect2 to 80010.