A BMW driver had managed to get six miles along a Green Lane in the Dales before being shown the 'error of his ways' by police who were out on off-road reconnaissance last weekend.

On October 8, a spokesman for North Yorkshire Police reported: "NYP supports the lawful use of our green spaces and encourages responsible use of green lanes and other permissible by-ways.

"Today officers from Op ORBIT have been out patrolling off-road areas of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, in a partnership operation with the national park authority. These patrols are undertaken regularly to ensure that the by-ways are not misused or damaged by unlawful or irresponsible use. The officers who staff the team are volunteers who undertake this task in addition to their normal role.

"The BMW X3 pictured, was found on a prohibited by-way, with the driver having already travelled about six miles. The driver had never driven off-road before and had got confused about the signage at the start of the lane. Officers escorted him back to some tarmac, where he was educated and shown the error of his ways."