A TRUST formed to save an ancient North Yorkshire woodland from being turned into a theme and paintball park is bidding for National Heritage Lottery cash to make it more accessible to the public.

Hackfall Woods at Grewelthorpe, near Ripon, has now been designated as a site of Special Scientific Interest.

The Hackfall Trust, chaired by former Defence Minister and ex-Harrogate MP James Ramsden, is spearheading a £600,000 scheme to improve footpaths.

The Hackfall Trust and Woodland Trust are submitting a preliminary bid for National Heritage Lottery funding.

This would also involve restoration of one of several follies - Mowbray Castle, which has been neglected for the past 13 years.