OFF-ROADERS are turning the moorlands into playgrounds, damaging field drains and tracks and making some dales' hamlets danger areas for small children and livestock.

That's the view of residents after a group of 60 on motorbikes rode through the hamlet of Arkleside in Coverdale one Sunday morning, and returned that way home in the evening.

They were using the green lane over Arkleside Moor and Dead Man's Hill heading towards Nidderdale.

Barbara Johnstone of Arkleside, whose three small grandchildren also live in the hamlet, commented: "We are absolutely terrified - it's the speed they go through the hamlet." The bikers have also caused problems when sheep, horses and cattle are being moved, she said.

Those with four-wheel drive vehicles are also using the green lanes and she added: "On the moors they go off the road. They are just using it as a playground and they are causing damage. These people have no respect for the land - it's a shame they are abusing it."

Martin Vallance, who owns the shooting rights on Arkleside Moor, wrote recently to the county council to give his full support to its proposal to close four green lanes to motorised vehicles on an experimental basis.

He said it wasn't just the physical damage caused by the off-roaders but also the loss of peace and tranquility which was one of the great blessings of the dales. He would like to see the Dead Man's Hill green road closed.

Mrs Johnstone and her family were not so sure. "We don't want to spoil the fun of others but we abhor the way the track is being used. Everyone could enjoy the countryside if the bikers respected the land and behaved in a reasonable manner."

Two parish councils in Wensleydale, Burton-cum-Walden and Aysgarth and District, are equally concerned about the damage being caused by off-roaders with the former joining the Yorkshire Dales Green Lanes Alliance.

The Alliance - a lobbying group formed last year with the aim of ridding the dales' green lanes of of-road vehicles held its first agm this week.

Speaking at the Octagon Theatre in Grassington, chairman Michael Bartholomew said he was particularly pleased that the national park and county council were looking at the experimental traffic regulation orders on four of the area's green lanes, although he appreciated it was only at the early stages.

A meeting between the two bodies is to take place today to consider the issue.

He said off-roaders would strenuously resist the imposition of the orders and had organised letter-writing campaigns to the authorities.

"We must match them letter for letter," he said.

Of the MPs contacted, Skipton and Ripon MP David Curry and Pendle MP Gordon Prentice had pledged their support, with Mr Curry already having raised the matter in Parliament. He was still awaiting a reply from Richmond MP William Hague.

* Parishes oppose off-roaders: page 10