HUNDREDS of volunteers and environmental task force members have worked more than 7,000 hours in the North York Moors National Park in the past year helping to carry out environmental improvement schemes.

Included in the work done by about 700 volunteers has been the regeneration of heather on the site of the fire at Fylingdales, and repairing dry stone walls, building board walks and bridges, and habitat management.

The park's volunteer service was set up nearly three years ago and among those taking part have been disabled people and those with special needs.

People from the Burnside and Elder Street day care centres, in Scarborough, Mencap, Cauwood Day Centre, Malton, worked with experts.

Also involved have been people from Next Choice, an organisation that offers courses for those who have had personal problems.

Inmates from Kirklevington Grange Prison have built a board walk at The Lady Chapel, Rievaulx, and worked on roadside verges at Hawnby, as well as work elsewhere in the park.