A NEW search is to be launched to find gas reserves under one of the most spectacular landscapes in the country.

Egdon Resources is seeking planning permission to sink an exploratory borehole on the North York Moors by Westerdale, near Whitby.

The oil and gas exploration and production company also plans to ask the National Park authority to approve the building of an access road to the site, on land south of Broad Gate Farm.

If permission is granted, it will be the second exploratory borehole that Egdon will have drilled in the area.

The first, in 2006, did not find commercial quantities of gas - and that site has since been completely restored to farmland.

The company is now planning to hold a public exhbition in Westerdale’s village hall to give local people the chance to view and discuss their proposals.

Managing director Mark Abbott said: "We definitely want to get feedback from residents and other stakeholders before we submit the planning application."

The company expects the exploratory drilling operation to last for no more than six weeks, after which the rig and associated equipment will be dismantled. Only the concrete base will remain while the results of the drilling are analysed.

If commercially-viable quantities of gas are found, new planning permission will have to be sought before it can be exploited.

The public exhibition will be held on March 16 from 2pm tp 8pm.