Natural England has announced that it has agreed to adopt recommendations to expand the boundaries of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.

If approved by the secretary of state, the proposals will see total of 500sq km (193sq miles) of National Park land added across both of the two areas.

Under proposals for the Lake District National Park, an area from Birkbeck Falls Common to Whinfell Common in the east and part of the Lyth Valley to the south will be added.

Meanwhile, parts of the Orton Fells to the north of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and a number of locations on the western perimeter of the current boundaries will be added.

Natural England chair Poul Christensen said: "[The decision to proceed] represents an important opportunity to ensure that these special landscapes are looked after for future generations to enjoy."

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority chief executive David Butterworth said: "It's a real victory for common sense in looking at National Park boundaries in terms of quality of the landscape, rather than outmoded and short-term administrative or political issues."

Image: Lake District National Park - Kevin Eaves/shutterstock.com