THE country's first eco-hostel has opened in a Ryedale village - setting a trailblazing example for environmentally-friendly accommodation nationally.

The hostel at Lockton, near Pickering, has been given a £300,000 revamp through a project led by the Youth Hostels Association (YHA) and the North York Moors National Park Authority.

The two organisations funded the bulk of the project cost, with significant contributions from the Europe Regional Development Fund, Ryedale District Council, North Yorkshire County Council and Yorkshire Water, among others.

Using the expertise of Yorkshire-based environmental architecture specialists Eco Arc, the new-look 21-bed hostel now boasts features which include solar-heated water, a rainwater recycling system, a living sedum roof and a dry compost toilet. Organic paint has even been used for decorating the building.

Visitors to the moors can now enjoy the national park and help protect its fragile environment during their stay. They can also learn more about conservation using the new interactive interpretation centre and awareness points throughout the hostel.

YHA Yorkshire regional manager Simon Ainley said: "This project has given a new lease of life to the youth hostel and we've been bowled over by how enthusiastically people have embraced it. We've managed to attract funding from public and private sources, and I think everyone will be impressed by such an innovative redevelopment.

"We believe it will attract visitors from all over Britain and beyond, and help set the standard for sustainable tourism by providing a practical example of what can be achieved with the willingness to take a fresh look at building design."

YHA Lockton will be YHA's first Green Beacon Youth Hostel. Green Beacons, which must meet the European Union's Eco-Label criteria for business, will eventually be established in each English region and Wales.

Updated: 10:43 Wednesday, March 16, 2005