YOUNGSTERS dedicated to countryside conservation have been honoured at the official launch of the North York Moors National Park Trust.

Thirteen year-old Zach Haynes from Northallerton scooped the top prize in the Young Ranger of the Year awards for his efforts in writing a naturalist blog and photographing the wildlife he finds across the North York Moors and elsewhere.

Zach, who has been awarded £750 to put towards a trip to a national park of his choice, also regularly participates in projects such as the Big Garden Birdwatch and counts moth-trapping amongst his favourite hobbies.

A runner-up prize of £250 was awarded to Joey Graham of Darlington, aged just seven, who has made phenomenal progress over the last six months as a member of the National Park Authority’s Explorer Club.

The awards were presented by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Barry Dodd CBE, at a special event to mark the launch of a new charity that will help secure the future of the North York Moors.

Andy Wilson, chair of North York Moors National Park Trust said: “Setting up the Trust realises part of a long held ambition to maximise efforts to conserve the landscape and wildlife of the area and help people to enjoy and learn about it.

“A huge part of the Trust’s work is focussed on ensuring the North York Moors can be enjoyed for generations to come.

"It’s therefore imperative that we engage the younger generation in what we do and recognise those individuals who are acting as ambassadors for the National Park in their own communities.”

The National Park Trust aims to grow steadily over time to become a major player in the conservation of the unique North York Moors landscape.

Early projects include working to increase knowledge of nocturnal moth populations and establishing a new Centenary Walk in Goathland.