A WEEK of events are planned to mark 50 years of conservation in one of the country's most spectacular landscapes.

The first-ever National Parks Week runs from July 1 to 9 and the North York Moors authority has put together a programme of events looking at different aspects of life, work and recreation.

Careful planning has had to go into them to ensure the park's flora and fauna are not affected.

On July 3, hundreds are expected to attend the Beacon on the Bank event at Sutton Bank, which will see the lighting of a huge bonfire, a barbecue, free guided walks, an exhibition of local produce and live folk music.

Senior ranger Colin Dilcock said: "Sutton Bank is an important site. Not only do thousands of people enter the park here, but it is also home to many plants and insects. We have to take them into account when setting light to a beacon."

Common-spotted orchids grow close to where the beacon is set up, but the area will be carefully checked to ensure these and other sensitive plants are protected.

"We can easily rope off areas where orchids are growing to protect them from the public coming along who might otherwise trample on them, and we will check that sparks from the beacon do not ignite the grassland."

For full details about the events, contact (01845) 597426.