Clwyd West assembly member (AM) Darren Millar has called for the Countryside Council for Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government to consider designating the Clwydian Range as a National Park.

The 35km (21.7-mile) chain of hills, which stretches from Prestatyn Hillside in the north to the Nant y Garth Pass to the south, has recently celebrated 25 years as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. However, Millar now wants the Clwydian Range to be given further recognition and said that National Park status would help to benefit local communities and towns by attracting more visitors.

Millar said: "There is no doubt in my mind that the Clwydian Range deserves to be designated as a National Park. With a unique landscape, biodiversity and archaeology, it is every bit as special as other places which enjoy National Park status." "There is a prestige attached to National Parks and towns, communities and businesses associated with the Clwydian Range would benefit significantly if it were to be designated, especially in terms of opportunities to promote the area to locals and visitors."

If a bid is successful, the Clwydian Range would become the fourth National Park in Wales, in addition to Snowdonia, the Pembrokeshire Coast and the Brecon Beacons. The most recent UK National Park designation was the South Downs, England. Image: Britain On View