THE guardians of some of Britain's most spectacular landscapes are celebrating this week.

The Barrier Free project, in the North York Moors National Park, is finally coming to a close after more than two years of work involving public, private and voluntary sectors.

It has seen the creation of nine wheelchair-friendly routes giving easy access to different landscape areas across the national park.

And although the project is coming to an end, the park authority has pledged to continue to make and promote access improvements and is about to publish a detailed information package.

The project was conceived in 1998 when the Whitby Disablement Action Group and paraplegic athlete Dave Percival began raising money through what became known as the Percival Push - a long-distance wheelchair push from Castleton to Blakey Rigg.

The idea of improving access through the park later took hold and quickly developed into a large-scale initiative.

It culminated in a package of funding which totalled £260,000, with £165,000 from the Sports Lottery Fund and contributions from the Whitby group, Northallerton-based Yorventure, Forest Enterprise, various voluntary and private organisations and even royal sources.

The routes give access for people with limited mobility to a whole range of the park's landscapes.

Easier access to some of the more remote areas has been achieved by the removal of obstacles and improvements to 25 per cent of the park's bridleways and eight per cent of its footpaths.

Project officer Trevor King said: "It is the partnership with local communities, individuals, organisations and agencies that has made the project a success.

"Everyone working together has ensured that the improvements give new and lasting opportunities that will be there for everyone to enjoy and make the most of well into the future."

Head of park services Richard Gunton said: "Many people will benefit directly from the project's achievements; local people and visitors of all physical abilities will be able to gain easier access to the park and enjoy it unhindered by obstacles or lack of information."

"We hope to continue this work as part of our everyday approach to managing access."

To celebrate the success a special event is to be held at the park authority's Helmsley headquarters on Friday.