A NEW wood is being planned for the Yorkshire Dales thanks to a legacy from a regular visitor.

Spinster Jean Staples from Doncaster loved the Dales so much that she left £23,566 to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority when she died at the age of 69.

Now all that is needed is a generous landowner prepared to provide about eight hectares for the project.

Geoff Garrett, the national park's trees and woodland officer, said: "At the moment there is very little broadleaf woodland in the park - it amounts to just 1.6 per cent of land cover and we want to double that by the year 2020.

"The legacy presents the opportunity to make a significant contribution to new woodland planting, as well as providing a lasting memorial to Miss Staples," he said.

"The new woodland will enhance the park's landscape for the benefit of residents, visitors and the local wildlife."

The main part of the project will cost about £20,000 and will involve planting more than 8,000 broad-leaved trees.

Any remaining money will be spent on signs and information boards for the wood.

A spokesman for Doncaster solicitors Dawson and Burgess said: "Miss Staples spent a lot of time in the Dales.

"She was a keen walker when she was younger and used to come on day trips in later life. She loved the area and wanted to do something to help conserve it."

Farmers and landowners have already been lining up to take part in another park scheme in which they will be paid to plant more trees.

So far 11 have asked to be included in the scheme - offering more than 40 hectares of land. Funding is coming from the Authority, from the Forestry Commission and from the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

Mr Garrett said: "The response we have had so far has been excellent and we are always interested in hearing from any other landowners who want to join in."

As well as helping to fund the scheme, the authority will also carry out all the work required to plan the woodland, apply for the grants and arrange for the work to go ahead.

Anyone interested in taking part in the scheme should contact Mr Garrett on 0870 1 666333.