EFFORTS to ensure visitors have a good time while visiting the Yorkshire Dales have won accolades in an independent report.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has been praised by the Audit Commission for its efforts to ensure the public have an enjoyable and interesting experience.

The report graded the authority's Promoting Understanding service as good and said current services have promising prospects for improvement.

The review, which took place over the last six months of 2002, looked at the service, which aims to enhance public access, implement the Countryside And Rights of Way Act, and promote the public's understanding of the National Park.

The service was given two stars out of a possible three, and the report concluded that visitors are highly satisfied, in particular with the range of leaflets and guided walk programme.

The inspectors said they were also impressed with efforts to engage new audiences in the conservation of the Yorkshire Dales.

However, they also pointed to several areas where the authority could improve, including encouraging wider audiences to make use of the National Park and, in particular, helping individuals experiencing physical or sensory impairment.

They also said parts of the local community had a negative perception of the National Park, and said there was a need to improve communications to overcome that.