PEOPLE are being given the chance to say how countryside areas should be opened for public access.

Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, North Yorkshire County Council is involved in the new access legislation for those areas outside the national parks.

It now has a key role in developing an access management plan for the Countryside Agency.

Developing the plan has involved looking at each area of access land to assess the predicted increase in visitors and identify information points which may be needed for visitors using the new right of access.

The authority is holding a number of consultation events throughout the county to give people affected by the changes an opportunity to view and comment on the draft access management plan.

The county's executive member for environmental services, John Fort, said: "We are keen for as many people who are affected or have an interest in the new rights to attend the events.

"We are hoping that lots of people will make comments and bring along ideas that will help enable us to deliver the new access legislation successfully."

Each consultation will be open from 3pm to 9pm to give as many people as possible the opportunity to attend.

The plans can be seen at the King's Head Hotel, in Richmond, on Wednesday; the Talbot Hotel, in Malton, next Thursday; Herriots Hotel, in Skipton, on September 2 and Millstones Restaurant, Skipton Road, Harrogate, on September 7.