TRIBUTES have been paid to a man who helped establish laws on public paths and to achieve greater freedom to roam.

Jerry Pearlman, a former honorary solicitor of the Ramblers, has died at the age of 84.

He served for 18 years on the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, latterly as deputy chair, was a trustee of the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, and a founder member of the Yorkshire Dales Society

He saved countless paths, in the courts and at public inquiries and advised the Ramblers and other organisations on how to make best use of the law. He also drafted the right-to-roam legislation which later became the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

Last October, a plaque was unveiled at Jerry’s cottage at Stalling Busk to commemorate the work, which increased the amount of access land in the Dales from four per cent to 62 per cent overnight.

"His real legacy will be the vital role he played in securing access to open countryside," said Ramblers' vice president Paddy Tipping.