LANDOWNERS and farmers planning to object to draft maps showing proposed public access to open countryside in the North York Moors National Park, Hambleton, Ryedale and Scarborough districts are booking private surgery sessions with one of the country's leading experts.

The sessions have been organised by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) at its Easingwold offices in conjunction with Strutt & Parker and their access expert, James Farrell.

He has been advising landowners throughout England since the Countryside and Rights of Way Act became law.

The surgery is being held on Friday, May 9, by appointment, and there is no charge for CLA members.

"It will be time well spent if it results in more effective or successful objections being submitted to the Countryside Agency," said Dorothy Fairburn, regional director of the CLA, which has 4,000 members in Yorkshire, most of whom are landowners.

Updated: 08:57 Tuesday, April 29, 2003