A NEW chapter in the management of the countryside in North Yorkshire was formally launched yesterday.

The completion of signing at a public footpath near Boroughbridge marked the start of North Yorkshire County Council's new Countryside Service.

The authority's executive member for environmental services, John Fort, joined staff to cement a wooden finger post into place to celebrate the launch.

The short ceremony also marks the successful joint working between the county council and landowners, which has enabled improvements such as waymarking, stiles, better gates and the removal of obstructions to be made to the public footpath, to ensure ease of access for users.