A PROJECT to preserve Swaledale's oldest map which dates back 300 years is being backed by council officials.

North Yorkshire County Council has bought the map of Swaledale, which dates from 1707. It is believed to be the oldest known map to feature the dale.

The map, drawn on sheepskin parchment, measures 87cm by 66.5cm and has aroused a lot of interest.

It was created to help to settle a court case over lead mining rights in Swaledale.

The map was presented to the case's jurors at the Queen's Arms, in Richmond, on April 22, 1708.

It was put on sale in February for £1,000 and was bought by the county council, helped by £500 from the Victoria and Albert Museum Purchase Grant Fund and £100 from the Northern Mines Research Group.

The Northern Mines Group, of Skipton, has also helped the council to understand more about the map.

The chairman of the Friends of Swaledale Museum, Alan Mills, and his wife, Judith, also helped by giving £100.

A copy of the map was to be given to the Swaledale Museum in Reeth, on Tuesday on the 300th anniversary of it being first seen by the jurors.

The original will be preserved in the county records office in Northallerton.

Coun Chris Metcalfe, executive member for the adult and community services directorate, said: "Historians were unaware of the map's existence until it appeared recently in a dealer's catalogue.

"This map is a unique and precious part of our heritage, and we are extremely pleased that we have been able to preserve it for future generations.

"It reveals previously unavailable detail about the size and location of settlements and the access to rights on the moor, including the right to graze stock and gather heather, which they used for thatch, and dig peat, which was used as fuel."

Visitors to the Swaledale Museum will be able to see the copy of the map and study information about it.