Areas of the Yorkshire Dales are included in the maps

North Yorkshire is part of the next area of the country to be opened up by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act.

The publication of the maps marks the last chance for land owners to object to the access rights.

The right to roam is already in place in areas of the south east, the south west and the north west.

Owners preparing

Any private land considered moor, heath, mountain or downland or registered common land is open to walkers in these areas.

Land owners can apply to have the new access rights on their land permanently removed if they think the public may be at risk or for land management reasons.

Dorothy Fairburn, Yorkshire director of the Country Land and Business Association, revealed that land owners had been busy preparing for the new legislation.

She said: "Landowners and farmers are working through the local access forums and other organisations, including the Ramblers' Association, to help ensure that people can exercise these new rights safely and in a way that supports rather than hampers farms and rural businesses."