A NEW vehicle is helping conservation volunteers to greater efforts in North Yorkshire.

A new pick-up that doubles as a personnel carrier and is, appropriately, coloured green, has been bought by Harrogate Borough Council with grant aid from the Countryside Agency.

The vehicle, a Vauxhall Brava, will be used on sites in and around Harrogate and Ripon, as well as within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Countryside ranger Colin Slator said the pick-up was already proving to be invaluable.

"Up until now we have had to rely on private cars to transport both volunteers and their equipment," he said.

"It's now much easier for us to transport tools and materials, which is a great saving of time and effort."