THE NORTH York Moors National Park's Danby Lodge Centre is in line for a £620,000 new look.

The former seventeenth century shooting lodge has been leased by the park authority for the past 30 years and is a popular tourist attraction.

But, says the park's head of information, Mike Pratt, the number of visitors has fallen from a peak of 150,000 in 1999 to 120,000 last year.

"It is widely acknowledged that the facilities are outdated and the centre is not realising its full potential," he told the information and education committee.

The aim was to provide a wide range of visitors with an enjoyable experience and increase their awareness and understanding of the park. There was likely to be extensive focus on IT development, and a key objective would be to extend the visitor season.

"The centre will be dynamic with flexible, changing experiences which will attract repeat visits as the seasons change. It will have a new vision and concept," he added.

The authority hopes to encourage artists and craft workers to stage exhibitions, workshops and events, and for conference and training facilities to be created.

It is also aimed to increase visitor spending at the centre which is owned by the Dawnay Estate at Wykeham.

With the Esk Valley railway station at Danby less than a mile away, it is possible that a pavement could be built to the centre and to provide a minibus shuttle service, said Mr Pratt.

The development would also include a sculptured, theme play area, covered picnic site, new shop and information centre and a moorland exhibition.

The project includes plans to complete the refurbishment of the nearby Danby Castle, famed for its links to Henry VIII and Catherine Parr, and the restoration of the ancient Duck Bridge, a pack-horse bridge leading to the castle.