MORE services than ever before are to be made electronically available to people who want to enjoy the Yorkshire Dales after national park managers secured a major cash award.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has been awarded a £200,000 Government grant to make a wealth of facilities accessible by the touch of a button over the next three years.

Once the new measures are in place, residents and visitors will be able to reserve accommodation, make planning applications, book events, pay for services, apply for grants and research the history of the famous Dales landscapes, all on-line.

Richard Burnett, the authority's head of finance and resources, said: "This grant has the potential to transform the way we deliver services to the public.

"Everyone will be able to access the full range of authority information and services, at times and locations convenient to them, by telephone, e-mail, internet, 24-hour touch screen and fax."

The funding has come from the national Local Government On-line initiative, which recognises that electronic services can transform the way authorities communicate with their communities.

Last July, the national park authority submitted a bid for funding to the Government, saying public services could be provided through use of its website, e-mail and the more traditional methods of information centres and telephone.

Mr Burnett added: "In recent years, information technology has revolutionised the way we live.

"Today, we can book cinema tickets, obtain our bank balance and contact distant relatives all through electronic means.

"As a result, public expectations have grown and as an authority we must respond to this by providing our services in a way the public wants."

The authority will receive the £200,000 grant in the coming financial year - and a further £200,000 will be granted in the following year if the initial work proves to be successful.