TWO new members have been appointed to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

John Fort has been appointed by North Yorkshire County Council, replacing long-serving member Shelagh Marshall, who stood down towards the end of last year.

A former police officer who retired from the force in 1993, he was elected to the county council in 1997 and has served in a number of senior positions, including chairman.

The second new member is Allen Kirkbride, who is the appointee for the Richmondshire parishes. He replaces a long-serving member Harold Brown.

Mr Kirkbride has always lived and farmed in Askrigg, Wensleydale, having been educated at Wensleydale School.

He is chairman of Askrigg Parish Council, a member of Yorebridge Educational Foundation and a trustee of Askrigg Foundation and the Cumbria and Yorkshire Dales Farmers Network.

He is also vice-chairman of Hawes Farmers Auction Mart and a director of the Upper Wensleydale Community Partnership and Yorebridge Sports and Leisure.