VISITORS to the Yorkshire Dales have raised more than £2,500 to help conserve the area.

The money was collected from the sale of pin badges, available from local tourist attractions.

In return for a £1 donation, visitors receive a Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust pin badge and entry into a prize draw for a weekend for two in the dales.

The prize was donated by Walburn Hall Farm, Downholme.

Money raised will be used to support the trust's conservation work in the dales.

The scheme was part of a £1m Donate to the Dales appeal, launched earlier this year by the Prince of Wales.

Margaret Harrison, the scheme co-ordinator, said "This is a fantastic start for the Donate to the Dales campaign. It really shows that visitors to our beautiful area do want to help make sure it is looked after."

Projects already completed by the trust include restoration of barns, historic buildings, walls and wildlife habitats, improvements to access and community buildings and restoration of native woodlands.

The Donate to the Dales scheme also offers businesses the chance to help conserve the landscape of the Yorkshire Dales by supporting the work of the trust.

For details, call Ms Harrison on (015242) 51004.