PANORAMIC views in the North York Moors National Park will spell a new source of income for farmers and riding centres, thanks to a brochure designed for horse riders and published by the park authority.

The aim, says Mike Pratt, the authority's head of information, is to encourage horse riders to spend holidays in the park.

"With more than 500 miles of bridleways through open moorland, on forest tracks, alongside rolling fields and on disused railway lines, the park is ideal for riders," he said.

More than 40 farms are offering accommodation in the form of stabling and grazing, secure tack rooms, and hay and straw. The average price is £5 a night for grazing and £10 for stabling. The guide also lists riding centres for those not travelling with their own horse, plus information on saddlers and tack shops, feed outlets, farriers, vets and riding schools.

Mr Pratt says riders new to the national park are advised that, on some bridleways, they will encounter fords, bridges, stony tracks, metalled roads and steep hills.

The guide, funded by the park authority, the European Union and Yorkshire Forward, has been hailed as a great boon to the park by Catriona Cook, leading spokesman for the British Horse Society and herself a farmer offering horse holiday accommodation at Burgate Farm, Harwood Dale, which she runs with her husband, John.

"The North York Moors Park is recognised as being one of the finest in the country for horse riders," she said. "The authority has made a splendid effort in producing the guide because, while horse holidays are in their infancy, they are going to increase in popularity."

Mrs Cook, who is also a member of the park authority, has been primarily responsible for the re-opening of about 80 miles of bridleways, many dating back hundreds of years, which had suffered neglect through lack of attention and use.

Horses, she said, were now in some cases a bigger contributor to the rural economy than farming when such ancillary businesses as farriers and feed merchants were taken into account.

But running a B&B for horses and riders was a different way of life from that for the conventional tourist, said Mrs Cook. Apart from having to provide stabling and food for the horse, the rider needed somewhere to dry clothing, as well as to keep it secure.

While routes were specially designed, riders were encouraged to create their own routes, said Mrs Cook.

"The park has some absolutely wonderful bridleways, many of them steeped in history. It is marvellous that so many have been brought back into use because it will prove to be a great asset to the park's economy."