A £1m scheme to encourage ethnic minorities to visit and help run the region's national parks has been launched.

The Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors national park authorities are both taking part in the Mosaic Partnership.

Under the scheme, community champions will be trained to promote the national park in ethnic minority communities.

Organisations within the national parks will also be encouraged work more closely with minority groups.

Annie Galloway, head of external affairs at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: "We are really hoping that by introducing people from black and minority ethnic communities to the delights of the park, they will want to find out more for themselves and become more involved."

The Heritage Lottery Fund has pledged £635,000 to the partnership, with more funding coming from other organisations.