A Sutton man has been appointed to the board of the North York Moors National Park Authority.

Stephen Jenkinson's role is to represent national interests alongside other members from county, district and parish councils.

Stephen, 33, who is also Bradford council's rights of way officer, is one of the youngest ever to take up such a post.

This week he was also confirmed as one of only 15 Fellows of the Institute of Public Rights of Way Officers.

"It is a great honour to receive both of these appointments in such a short space of time," he says.

"I am determined to succeed in conserving this national park's value as a unique part of our heritage, and welcome the many opportunities the future holds.

"National parks were partly designed due to their value and accessibility to people without such precious landscapes on their doorsteps.

"But it is vital visitors' needs are sensitively and fairly balanced with those of the environment, and people who live and work in this very special place."

Stephen was selected from over 800 candidates nationwide due to his experience in countryside access, environmental education and the media.

In the 1980s he qualified at Airedale Hospital as a medical electronics engineer before changing career to pursue his passion for environmental issues.

He is well known locally for the countryside access evening classes he ran in Cross Hills and Settle.

In 1994 Stephen became student of the year at Manchester Metropolitan University.

For his master's degree he researched the effect of public access on badgers, which is to be published in the Journal of Zoology later this year.

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