THE new Countryside Service for North Yorkshire was given a boost at the show by county council chairman John Dennis.

With his wife, Mary, he called at the service's stand to complete the first online public rights of way questionnaire.

Councillor Dennis has farmed in the Northallerton area all his working life and said he felt it was important to take a lead in completing the questionnaire, which asks people their views on the public rights of way network in North Yorkshire.

It is part of a strategy being developed by the service, which aims to look after the county's heritage, maintain and improve the public rights of way network and work with partners to care for areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Attention will initially focus on the public rights of way network, and the questionnaire will be a valuable source of information.