MPs in North Yorkshire have rallied together to show their support for plans to build a potash mine in one of the region's national parks.

Sirius Minerals has submitted a planning application for its York Potash project to the North York Moors National Park planning authority.

The company is hoping to mine the mineral, which will be sold as a plant fertiliser, from a sunken head mine at Sneaton, near Whitby, before transporting it via an underground tunnel to a materials handling facility at Wilton, inTeesside.

The project is set to create around 1,000 direct jobs.

Five surrounding MP's have written a joint letter to express their support of the project.

Julian Sturdy MP for York Outer, Hugh Bayley MP for York Central, Robert Goodwill MP for Scarborough and Whitby, Andrew Jones MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, and Ann Mclntosh MP for Thirsk and Malton, wrote to say: "As Members of Parliament in North Yorkshire we recognise this as a project of local, regional and national importance.

"The provision of long term and skilled work is a priority for the region, and particularly in the area where the York Potash project infrastructure is located.

"The potential to add materially to the UK's GDP, exports and balance of trade is most welcome and worthy of significant support.

"The benefits of the project will endure for many years not only in terms of local employment but will also secure a vital raw material for agricultural production both in the United Kingdom and at a global level."