TV personalities and local groups record video messages to celebrate Peak District National Park's 70th anniversary

To mark the milestone, the Derbyshire Times asked some well known faces and some local groups to talk about what makes our national park such a special place to them.

TV presenter Rob Bell, who is known for his love of engineering and is the face of Channel 5’s Walking Britain’s Lost Railways says the Peak District was the first national park he visited as a child.

He said: “Now as an adult I love going back there and I’m so grateful to the national park system for keeping these beautiful pristine landscapes for us all to enjoy.

"Thank you so much for all the work you do and congratulations on 70 years and here’s to another fantastic 70 years.”

Celebrating 70 years of the Peak District National Park

The Peak District is a much loved destination for walkers and Kate Ashbrook chair of the Ramblers Association Great Britain said: “We are delighted to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Peak District National Park.

"The Ramblers and other organisations were very active in the campaign to win national parks in England and Wales and the Peak District has proved to be such a great success, particularly because it is so close to urban centres and yet it offers that wild landscape and freedom people can enjoy.”

The 555sq miles of national park, which spans five counties, is a haven for wildlife and Hamza Yassin who is a wildlife photographer, and known to parents who watch Cbeebies as Ranger Hamza, says it is important to look after the rugged and beautiful landscape.

He said: “The Peak District National Park is an awesome place, there’s so much wildlife there and if we look after it the future generation will have a chance to get out and enjoy Mother Nature.”

Local mountain rescue groups are also among those paying tribute.

Buxton Mountain Rescue Team deal with hundreds of callouts every year and team lead Neil Carruthers said the lifesaving team have a very good relationship with the National Park.

He added: “They are a good authority to work with. They understand what the needs of the public are and balance those up with the needs of the park and the landowners.”