BOTH of North Yorkshire's national parks are to benefit for a tree-planting initiative announced by the Forestry Commission.

Native woodland is to be created in the Yorkshire Dales and on the North York Moors under the organisation's Native Woodland Challenge, which aims to create new wildlife habitats in key areas across the UK.

As many as 280 acres are to be used in the county, including 60 acres of broad-leaf trees, including oak, birch and rowan, along a scenic stretch of the River Esk from Westerdale to Sleights.

Meanwhile, 70 acres in the hidden valley of Waldendale, near West Burton, will also be used for a similar project.

The Hawes, near Settle, Ingle Bridge Wood near Skipton, and Low Field Farm at Beamsley, west of Harrogate, are also included in the planting programme.

A Forestry Commission spokesman, Graham Haddock, said: "Native woodlands are incredibly valuable places for wildlife and plants and these schemes will bolster efforts to reverse centuries of decline.

"In some cases they will link together existing woodland, and in others the plant-ings will absorb the meagre tree cover. We have worked in partnership with landowners and the national parks to create these new woods where they are most needed."

The Native Woodland Challenge has seen more than 1,000 acres of trees planted in Yorkshire's national parks over the past five years - 692 acres in the Dales and 467 on the North York Moors.

Yorkshire Dales National Park woodlands officer Geoff Garrett said: "The role of woodland in the park is invaluable. It contributes to the farm businesses, the landscape, plant and animal life, recreation and tourism.

"The authority is currently working to realise the aims of the Dales Woodland Strategy to increase woodland in the park by five per cent by 2020, and by announcing the schemes in the Yorkshire Dales the Forestry Commission is helping us."

The final beneficiaries of the scheme will be announced early next year, although applications are already being invited.

Organisations wishing to be considered should call (01904) 448778.