MOORLAND magic - that is how the North York Moors national park authority hailed its regeneration plan on Monday.

A major report published at the park's meeting shows how jobs and the environment can both gain from integrated rural programmes.

Long-term private sector jobs have been created by the £2.83m effort and at the same time the famous heather-clad moors themselves have been enhanced.

It is hoped that the messages from the regeneration programme will be taken on board more widely to aid rural revival.

Key achievements of the five-year programme include creation of 11 full time jobs in moorland management, the restoration of more than 409 hectares of moorland and a 7.5pc decrease in lamb mortality, equivalent to 2,000 extra lambs surviving annually.

About 4,000 hectares of bracken have been eradicated; 2,300 hectares of controlled annual heather burning has taken place and 340 jobs have been supported and protected.

The programme has resulted in 26 estates and more than 100 farmers working together to improve awareness and implement marketing initiatives as well as building cattle grids, facilities for sheep-handling and game larders.

Over the period of the programme, the population of curlew and lapwing has significantly increased in contrast to national declines in these species over recent decades.

Co-ordinator Mr Michael Graham said: "Unmanaged moorland has little value for sheep, grouse and wading birds and it can be at serious risk of destruction by uncontrolled fires. The programme has funded additional work on the moors, encouraged good management practices and improved communication between moorland managers, farmers and conservationists".

Mr George Winn-Darley, of the moorland association, said: "Although the programme has now ended, partners remain fully committed to continuing to work to identify future needs, to strengthen the links between moorland management and conservation and to seek ways to build on the sound foundations that have been laid."

Chief executive of the park authority, Mr Andy Wilson, said: "It is vital that the messages from this programme are taken on board. The magic ingredients behind the success of the project are simple."

The programme was developed and steered by a local partnership of grouse moor managers, farmers and conservationists and co-ordinated by the national park authority.