STAR-gazers are being encouragd to head for a North Yorkshire beauty spot - after it was officially named as a Dark Sky Discovery site.

Sutton Bank, near Thirsk, has been given the accolade for its combination of low light pollution levels, clear horizons and good public access.

It is the first area in the North York Moors National Park to be given the title and one of only two in the entire Yorkshire regio - the other being York University.

Sutton Bank has been given a Milky Way class by the Dark Sky Discovery initiative because the galaxy is often visible to the naked eye from the site.

Assistant director of park services Michael Graham said: “The big open skies of the North York Moors are breathtaking by day and also by night when the dark sky panorama is revealed.

“There are many spots in the National Park that are perfect for star gazing but Sutton Bank has the added bonus of being accessible to a reasonable network of surrounding towns and villages."

Dark Sky Discovery is an innovative network of national and local astronomy and open space organisations that helps people to enjoy the night sky.