GUIDELINES for the future of the English national parks were set out yesterday by Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael.

Speaking at a conference in Southampton, Mr Michael launched the findings of a Government review of England's national park authorities.

There are seven national parks in the country, including the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors and Northumberland.

The review recommends that funding for park authorities should come entirely by direct grant from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

It also recommends:

* Allowing the parks to play a greater role in rural revival by removing certain spending constraints;

* Limiting the number of members on the largest park authorities to 25. Smaller authorities would be limited to 20 members for more efficient decision making;

* Increasing the proportion of national members, but ensuring that the majority still come from the local areas;

* Introducing an independent chairman.

Speaking at the Council for National Parks' conference, at the University of Southampton, Mr Michael said: "Our National Parks are national assets - environmentally, socially and economically. If we are to hand them on in good shape to future generations, we need to care about all three together."