Sir, - If the government implements some of the suggestions made by Mr Andy Wilson, the chief executive of the North York Moors national park authority, it risks a legal challenge under the provisions of the Human Rights Act.

According to your report (D&S, Aug 17) he believes the national park is an under-used resource that could play a bigger part in aiding the rural economy and the quality of life for residents. In his view national park authorities (NPAs) should have a more powerful mandate to promote economic revitalisation.

This may derive from well-intentioned concern or it may be an opportunistic attempt to acquire additional powers in the wake of foot-and-mouth disease.

NPAs have a "duty to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities" - but with two provisos. Firstly, the lead role in these matters is the responsibility of other bodies (principally county and district councils). And, secondly, in pursuing this duty they must not incur significant new expenditure.

These restrictions irk many within the national park movement who would like to see a transfer of these responsibilities away from the elected local authorities.

Somehow this seems to be the most likely explanation for a national park's new found conversion to the idea of "indissoluble links between social, economic and environmental factors."

However, it is difficult to see what useful role an environmentally focused body like an NPA can play in these matters that cannot be done much better by the existing county and district councils. What experience and expertise do NPAs have to offer that is not already available?

There is also the distinct possibility that an NPA will want to promote only those economic activities that will, in its opinion, further the achievement of national park purposes. Such selective support would spawn a series of undesirable consequences.

Mr Wilson rejects the idea of direct elections for choosing membership of NPAs and prefers to stick with the present system of appointment. This allows members to make decisions without electoral responsibility or accountability. If such decisions concerned social and economic matters, local communities would be powerless to intervene, much less control, what was being done on their behalf.

Put plainly, it is not appropriate for some non-elected and locally unaccountable body, operating to a national conservation agenda, to have primary responsibility for local social and economic affairs.

PETER ANNISON

Dyke House,

Askrigg.

Children at risk

Sir, - As a local resident and campaigner for the NSPCC, I am concerned about the ease with which the internet can be used to harm young people. The NSPCC is working in coalition with several other children's charities to make the internet a safer place for children.

The real tragedy behind the use of the internet to trade images of children being tortured and abused was brought to light earlier this year in the shocking so-called "Wonderland Club" trial.

The NSPCC is asking the government to carry out a national awareness campaign for parents and children on how best to avoid dangers on the net. If readers want to get involved they can ring the NSPCC campaign hotline 020 7825 7428 or visit the NSPCC on-line at www.nspcc.org.uk/campaigning.

LEIGH CHAPMAN

Yarm Road,

Middleton St George.

Abbey memories

Sir, - I found the article accompanying the picture of the inn at Byland abbey (D&S, Aug 24) rather amusing.

It was handy walking across the fields on a night for a drink, and your dog being as welcome as you.

I remember one night after a spell of shocking weather when Mrs Bush, the landlady, who hadn't seen a customer for days, being complimented on the quality of her beer by someone clearly unaware of the fact that the 36-gallon barrel had been on tap for three whole weeks.

One of her secrets was that nothing went back into the barrel, drip trays and left overs went straight into the pig trough. On a good night the door was bolted at closing time to keep the customers in, and the local bobby, long since deceased, would be enjoying his pint in the kitchen.

In summer, Saturday mornings would find her in the kitchen baking scones for the weekend, pig bucket under the table, cigarette with the ash dangling and whisky bottle at hand.

During a hectic weekend when the place was full of Cromwellians who were re-enacting past battles, she was confronted by a Cromwellian in full regalia who was complaining bitterly about the dreadful state of the outside corrugated toilet. She told him Cromwell had never complained.

DOUGLAS PUNCHARD

Keldholme,

Kirkbymoorside.