IF YOU LOVE the New Forest so much you'd like to help run it, now's your chance!

Defra is recruiting for two new Secretary of State members for the New Forest National Park, with a four-year term.

The members have an important role to play overseeing the management of the national park, as well as leadership and strategic input, at a non-executive level, to the National Park Authority which works to ensure the delivery of benefits to the national and local community.

The Authority has 22 members with overall responsibility for making decisions. Twelve members are appointed by the county, district and borough councils with land within the National Park. Six are appointed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Four are selected from parish councils within the National Park.

Authority members set policies and priorities, ensure efficient and effective use of resources, and make sure that money is well spent. It is their job to represent the interests of the National Park and to balance out any conflicting pressures.

The positions are non-salaried but certain allowances are available and the time commitment varies between one to four days per month.

For more details, contact Alex Reid, Defra Public Appointments Team, on 020 802 67248; publicappts@defra.gsi.gov.uk.