A NEW bid to win planning permission to erect a beacon on the North York Moors, where one has stood since Roman times, is being made by the residents of Danby.

For centuries, a beacon had been lit in times of emergency or celebrations and, during the Second World War, Danby Beacon was a key radar station which was praised by Group Captain Peter Townsend, the ace pilot who was romantically linked with Princess Margaret, for helping to track down the first German bomber shot down over England.

The national park authority rejected the initial scheme on the grounds that the beacon's design would make it too prominent a feature on the moors.

But now, the parish council has submitted a new design to build the beacon in the same metal as that used for the Angel of the North, at Gateshead, said chairman Coun Herbert Tindall.

"The scheme has the backing of nearly everyone in the area and we now hope the park planners will give it their backing," said Coun Tindall.

The beacon, which will cost £7,000, is designed as a double celebration - to mark the new millennium and the Queen's golden jubilee.

Updated: 09:16 Wednesday, February 26, 2003