FIVE new local nature reserves have been created in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Two are in the North Craven area - at Langcliffe and Cleatop Park, near Settle.

The park authority has made the move using legislation that allows local authorities to name important local wildlife sites as local nature reserves.

Authority ecologist Tim Thom said: "Even though these nature reserves are owned by us, they are there for local people to appreciate and get involved in.

"The idea isn't to close them off from humans. The whole point is that not only are they important for wildlife, but also for local communities.

"We are hoping people will come and get involved in helping to manage the sites and making decisions on how they should be looked after."

The authority is now contacting local community groups and parish councils to invite them to be more involved in managing the reserves.

"The first step is to produce a simple management plan for each reserve and we would like to get local people who are interested to help write it," said Mr Thom.

"Once we have the plan, people can be involved in many different ways - from helping with research and surveys to practical work to look after the reserve," he added.

The other three reserves are at Killington Bridge, near Sedbergh, Freeholder's Wood and Riddings Field near Aysgarth and Ballowfield near Askrigg.