THE Countryside Agency is to hold a roadshow for residents in Teesdale to find out more about plans to increase public access rights.

It will give local people the chance to look at maps pointing out where the proposed increases to public access rights are around Barnard Castle.

There will be presentations and people will be able to talk to Countryside Agency representatives and lodge any written comments.

The proposals are part of a Government initiative to increase public access rights, and the Countryside Agency has split the country into eight separate areas to be mapped.

Once the provisional map has been published, probably later this year, only people with a legal interest in the land can lodge appeals, if they disagree with the land shown on it, with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The roadshow will be held at Witham Hall, Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, between 12.30pm and 7.30pm on January 15.

For further details call 0845-100 3298 or visit www.countrysideagency.gov.uk website.