DALES national park bosses have agreed to adopt stiffer advertising policies, restricting space on their shelves and in their magazine to accommodations which have been inspected by Tourist Board staff.

Councils in Skipton and Richmond are already operating a similar system, but the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority will wait a year before stepping in line.

It is hoped waiting until November next year will give hotels, guest houses and bed-and-breakfast owners a chance to adapt.

Head of external affairs Annie Galloway said: "Up until now, we have been able to promote accommodation which hasn't been inspected because of a special dispensation. However, the arrangement has been called into question by our tourism partners and operators of inspected accommodation, which ultimately has led to our decision."