The national park authority is to consult about controlling the recreational use of vehicles on ancient tracks across the Dales.

And they could be banned altogether from particularly sensitive areas.

Jon Avison, from the national park, said the use of recreational vehicles is "a great cause of concern to Dales residents and visitors".

'Sensitive landscape'

The authority would like to ban off-road driving for fun in all parts of the Dales but accepts that is not likely to be agreed in the near future.

"A total ban is unlikely so we must reach agreement with councils and the users groups about how we can limit and control the recreational use of these vehicles on the sensitive landscape of the Dales," Mr Avison said.

"We want to involve the users in trying to maintain and protect the peace and tranquillity of the area."

The first places where vehicle use could be restricted are "green lanes" - tracks which were originally used by horse-drawn carriages.