People living in and around the Yorkshire Dales National Park will soon have a chance to get involved in looking after it.

Following elections on May 22, parish councils and parish meetings in Craven and South Lakeland will be invited to put forward candidates to join the park authority to fill two vacancies.

Chairman Peter Charlesworth said: “This is a great chance for local people to play a direct and active part in helping to conserve and enhance the beautiful yet fragile landscape of the national park and to help other people to understand and enjoy its special qualities.”

Grassington parish councillor Andrew Colley, who joined the park authority in 2008, said: “Being a member has enabled me to be involved in work including conservation of the environment, maintenance of footpaths, planning applications and parish wildlife projects. It’s a very worthwhile role.”

Any candidate must be a member of a parish council or a chairman of a parish meeting.

The closing date for receipt of nominations is June 16. If more than one nomination is received, there will be an election among the parish councils/meetings.

For more details, visit yorkshiredales.org.uk/members