A £90,000 National Lottery grant will ensure the public gets full access to electronic archives on the history of the Yorkshire Dales.

The cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund is to be invested in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's Out of Oblivion project overthe next two years. It will enable the opening of the administration's Sites and Monuments Record via the Internet or at workstations at national park centres.

The archive has more than 25,000 records, including maps and photographs, listing information about historic sites ranging from prehistoric caves to structures built during the Cold War.

National Park archaeologist Robert White said: "The authority's records are a fantastic resource yet, to date, the public have not been able to make full use of them.

"With this project, we will open the archive up to the public, enthusiasts, schools, visitors and residents. The grant will help make information about the area's historic environment more accessible which, in turn, will increase their understanding and appreciation of the historic environment of the Dales and its economic importance, enabling them to become more involved in its care and management."