GRASSINGTON Moor's warren of ancient mine shafts and the possibility of increased access in the future, could unearth pitfalls in public safety.

The concern was raised at a recent meeting of the Grassington Moor Management Association, which felt the moor's 800 disused shafts, many of them not easily visible, posed a danger to people who may stray from the designated paths.

The group is made up of representatives of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the parish and county councils, farmers, owners of common land grazing rights, and shooters.

Although it does not have any power in its own right, the association meets regularly and has aired its own views on safety surrounding the Government's Countryside Rights of Way Act, due to come into operation in 2004.

The Act will open up the countryside further giving walkers the right to roam over much of the country's moorland, mountains, heath, downland and registered common land.

The implications throw up potential future litigation cases should someone stray from the path and become injured.

The lead mining industry was the biggest source of income for the people of Upper and Lower Wharfedale during the 18th and 19th centuries, with Grassington at its core.

The moor has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Although much evidence of the industry remains, virtually all the buildings and cottages were destroyed by the British army as target practice during the last war.

"There are nearly 800 disused lead mine shafts across the moor, made up of ventilation shafts and extraction chambers," explained Coun Peter Fethney, who is parish council representative on the association. There is also one old coal mine.

"Some of the shafts are 360 feet deep and although those near the footpaths are fenced off and protected with metal grids, the majority which are scattered all over are not," he said.

The shaft openings vary from a diameter of around four feet to ten feet, and although several were covered years ago with railway sleepers and earth, in some instances these had rotted and collapsed.

Mr Fethney, whose forebears are linked to the mines, recalled an incident when a sheepdog and sheep fell to their death when one of the covers collapsed.

Group chairman County Coun Shelagh Marshall said: "We take the safety aspect of the moor very seriously particularly in view of the fact many of the shafts are uncovered.

"The moor is a very beautiful place and has a fascinating industrial and archaeological history," she said.

She added that there were designated trails which people could follow safely and the national park authority was renewing all the signs which gave the visitor historical information.

A spokesman for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority said: "The matter surrounding the moor is complicated in that there is no ownership at the moment. However, we will be working with the association to look at the future implications.

"It is likely that these matters will be voiced in any case when the draft maps become available for consultation later this year or early next."

He said there was also the possibility that areas like Grassington Moor could be exempt from being opened wider to the public because of its dangers.

He said there were bound to be other sites nationally with the same problems. In addition, there was also the potential for reform of the current legislation on common land.

Maps showing the current footpaths and lead mine trails around the moor can be obtained from national park offices and tourist information centres.