PLANS have been unveiled to expand a national park’s visitor centre in the hope of attracting more tourists and protecting wildlife.

The Sutton Bank visitor centre in the North York Moors National Park will see improvements to its cycle tracks, the right of way network, car park, and visitor facilities.

There will also be a specially designed building used to view the park’s dark skies for astronomers and a bird hide.

Natural England welcomes plans to boost the declining turtle dove population with bird roosting boxes, and boxes for bats.

Michael Graham, assistant director of park services, said: “Plans will expand the educational and leisure facilities and help visitors increase their understanding of the park’s qualities.

“We predict visitor numbers will rise by up to 40 per cent."