A DEDICATED wildlife rescuer has become an official volunteer for the two National Park Authorities in North Yorkshire.

Jean Thorpe, a ‘raptor rescue rehabilitator’ has rescued and nursed countless birds of prey from her base near Malton.

She has now become an official volunteer for both the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors National Park Authorities, meaning that they can cover her travel expenses while she helps rescue and rehabilitate injured birds.

The Dales Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund has also awarded Mrs Thorpe £150 for a first response kit.

This ‘first aid kit for birds’ will help her provide initial on scene care.

Ms Thorpe, who was appointed an MBE in 2014, said: “It is excellent to get support from the two National Parks in North Yorkshire.

“I am very grateful. They offer some of the best habitats in the English uplands for raptors but unfortunately I do see some horrendous injuries from illegally trapped or shot birds. Some, but by no means all, make a recovery and get released back into their natural environment.”