A MOORLAND quarry from which stone was used to build 1,000-year-old Whitby Abbey is to be reopened.

Behind the venture at Aislaby Moor, near Whitby, North Yorkshire, are Paul and Carolyn Craven, owners of Esdale Stone, in the nearby village of Sleights.

They will initially be quarrying stone for the restoration of the 300-year-old East Pier, at Scarborough Harbour.

Val Dilcock, national park chief planning officer, said about 5,000 tonnes of stone would be removed initially for the harbour scheme.

She said that studies carried out by engineering consultant High Point Rendell and geologists concluded that, because the area was undulating, the quarry workings would not be highly visible.

She said the stone was of good quality and could be used for building in the park in the future. The park authority has given its backing to the scheme, which will create seven jobs.

Mr Craven said the stone had also been used in the building of Covent Garden, London.

"Wherever it has been used, the stone has stood the test of time. It is a tight grain, which is why it lasts and it is also good for carving," he said.