THE watchdog group for the North York Moors National Park aims to build membership following a recent appointment.

PR consultant Jane Short has been appointed as development officer for the North Yorkshire Moors Association.

Chairman Tom Chadwick said the role was important for the future of the group. "We already have a healthy membership but, like any group, we can't afford to be complacent and need to find ways of promoting the work we do to attract members," he said.

Born and bred on the Moors, Ms Short was a journalist for almost 20 years before becoming a self-employed PR consultant in Ryedale.

"I grew up in Fadmoor, where the moors were my playground," said Ms Short, whose father, Ian Sampson, also worked for the national park.