A tourist attraction, which drew more than 70,000 visitors last year, should have a closure order lifted, a public inquiry heard yesterday.

The final battle over the Forbidden Corner, in Coverdale, North Yorkshire, got under way yesterday with the hearing being told of a huge volume of support for the attraction.

Millionaire owner Colin Armstrong, who created the park, full of statues and mazes, for his family to enjoy, was at the Middleham Key Centre to hear the evidence which will decide the attraction's fate.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority ordered closure of the the Forbidden Corner last year, after it had been open to the public for three years without planning permission.

Planning chiefs said they were concerned by the volume of traffic using a country road to reach the attraction.

Opening the case for the Forbidden Corner, Harry Walton QC said the issue centred on an argument over what was an acceptable number of visitors.

The garden enjoyed local backing, from business leaders keen to capitalise on the huge visitor numbers, from residents and Middleham racehorse trainers, he said.

"This is clearly not a case of a cowboy developer proceeding without planning permission," said Mr Walton.

Independent planning surveyor Richard Wood said plans to extend the Wensleydale railway line could also affect the site's future, possibly reducing traffic to the park.

The inquiry, presided over by Secretary of State-appointed inspector David Pinner, continues today.

Evidence from racehorse trainer Chris Thornton and Middleham Town Council is still to be heard.