A DISGRACED former national park chairman has provoked a storm of controversy by seeking a return to public office.

Robert Heseltine is planning to stand for re-election to North Yorkshire County Council less than a year after he was convicted of fiddling expenses.

Mr Heseltine, who led the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority for almost 12 years, saw his political career ruined last June.

He was sentenced to 240 hours' community service after admitting 12 charges of false accounting, amounting to more than £1,400.

He was told by Judge Peter Fox, at Teesside Crown Court, that he was "unworthy of public office" and had narrowly avoided jail only because of his 25 years' service with local authorities.

Mr Heseltine, who subsequently resigned from both the national park and county council, has confirmed that he is hoping to make a return to the North Yorkshire authority.

He said: "When I am shopping in Skipton, people are at me to become involved in public life on their behalf again. I have had time to reflect and recharge my batteries.

"Within a democracy it is the public who say who they wish to represent them. If people wish me to stand for election I will be good enough to stand, and, if elected, I will get on and do the best I can for them."

He said he had never done anything untoward. Any expenses he had claimed had been in the best of faith, and his conscience was clear.

However, the move has been criticised by five present and former members of the council, who said they had "genuine concerns" about Mr Heseltine's intention to return.

In a joint letter, Peter Annison, Harold Brown, Stephen Butcher, James Kendal and Kevin Lancaster said: "We do not consider Mr Heseltine to be a proper person to serve on any public authority, and would respectfully ask the electors of Skipton East to take our concerns into consideration before casting their ballots."