Volunteers needed for countryside forum

Volunteers needed for countryside forum

The forum will act as an advisory committee on issues of access

Residents in the South West are being encouraged to get involved with improving access to their countryside.

Three local authorities have set up a joint forum to encourage more people to use the countryside for leisure and recreation.

The three councils - Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol city and South Gloucestershire are looking for a total of 18 volunteers.

The forum is being set up as a result of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

Applicant criteria

It will meet at least twice a year and will act as an independent advisory committee on issues of local access.

A spokesperson for the forum added: "Improving and protecting access in the rural and urban landscape and surrounding countryside is of great importance.

"It is important that we recruit a wide range of people to serve on the forum to ensure that everyone's interests are taken into account."

Applicants must have an interest in countryside access issues or be from a relevant interest group, for example:

a walker, horse rider, cyclist

a land-owner or land manager

a tourism manager or health expert

black and other minority ethnic groups

mobility impaired