THE North York Moors National Park could receive a massive cash injection if a bid for Government funds is successful.

The National Association of Park Authorities, which represents all Britain's national parks, has been putting together a bid with the help of the Countryside Agency, to try to secure £10 million from the Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions.

If successful, the bid would see this £10 million being split between all of England's national parks, with approximately £1.5 million of this money being spent in North Yorkshire.

"You could argue this has come at just the right time for us," said Mike Pratt, head of information for the North York Moors National Park.

"We cover a much wider brief than in the past. In particular, what we and the Government are doing is making sure the national parks are relevant and important to everyone."

The money would be used to achieve two aims: "to promote public appreciation of each park's unique character" and to "create a world class environment with vibrant local communities".

Mr Pratt explained the North York Moors National Park Authority was having to increase awareness of the park to the general public and make it more accessible.

This involved measures such as improving access for the disabled and discovering why people from the ethnic minorities used the park less than the rest of the population.

The authority is also having to fulfil its more traditional role of assisting the communities and farmers that live within the park.

The money would be used to help fulfil these aims, as well as ensuring visitors use sustainable transport to get too and from the park.

"It is not just about encouraging visitors to the park," said Mr Pratt. "It is about making sure everyone has an equal chance to visit and knows how important the parks are to the nation."

Mr Pratt said that even if the bid was successful, the park could still make use of more money. To try to meet this need for extra funds, it is likely park authority officers will approach other sources, such as the European Union and the National Lottery, for more money.

The authority will decide whether officers should look for extra funds when it meets at The Carlton Lodge, Bondgate, Helmsley, at 10am on Monday.