A GOVERNMENT minister made the trip north from Westminster yesterday to help a national park to mark its half century.

Minister of State for Rural Affairs Alun Michael joined the celebrations, launching a website to promote the area and a sustainable development forum and meeting the North York Moors National Park's modern apprentices during their first assignment.

The website - www.moors.uk.net - includes a virtual tour of the area as well as fun and learning zones for younger visitors, which use technology thought to be new to national parks in the UK.

Meanwhile, the forum will be looking for projects which could qualify for a slice of a £125,000 Government grant. The money is to be invested in schemes which regenerate the rural economy while underpinning the national park's heritage.

It is hoped training modern apprentices will dovetail with the initiative, encouraging young people to take up dying skills such as dry-stone walling or woodland and footpath management.

"I am pleased to see developments which have a part to play in the park's future,'' said Mr Michael. "The new website will help engage a wider range of people and provide a greater understanding of the issues the park faces.''

Yesterday's events marked the end of the park's own golden jubilee programme.

Chief executive Andy Wilson said: "The three new projects will build on the successes of the past and launch the national park into the next 50 years.

"Our continuing challenge is to manage this unique and special place in partnership and harmony with the communities which live here and accommodate the changing demands of 21st Century visitors to the national park."