PERMISSION for land on Minehead's North Hill to be used for an international triathlon event has been given by Exmoor National Park Authority.

But members heard event organisers Xterra GB Ltd still had to receive consent from the National Trust for mountain bike racing on its land.

And approval by the Crown Estate Commissioners would also be needed for a tented village for the 400 competitors on Dunster Castle's deer park.

National park recreation and access officer Emma Boulton said Xterra wanted to bring the contest to West Somerset in September and to return for the following two years.

She said it was major international event in which competitors had to complete a one-mile swim, a 16-mile mountain bike course and a six-mile cross-country race.

The West Somerset event would be the European qualifier in a worldwide programme of 12 races, with the top 22 athletes going on to the world championships in Hawaii.

Miss Boulton said: "Each event is more than a race, it is a weekend-long festival of entertainment, music, food, goods sales and displays, activity clinics and seminars, and associated junior and beginners events."

She said the swim would be from Minehead seafront out into the channel and back.

The running and cycling sections would be almost entirely in the national park.

Cyclists would ride from Minehead up North Hill and through Periton, Hopcott, Grabbist and Dunster.

The run would be to the south of Dunster across Grabbist and Croydon Hill.

Miss Boulton said it would be a prestigious occasion attracting large numbers of people and national media coverage, helping to boost local tourism.

Head ranger Bill Gurnett was liaising with the organisers to work up an appropriate and sustainable route for the mountain bike race.

The National Trust was reluctant to allow the race on its land, particularly near Selworthy, but was prepared to look for a route across farmland and away from paths.

Miss Boulton said racing on bridleways was illegal, but further advice was being sought on the legality of using footpaths with landowner consent.

She said it would be essential for park staff to work closely with the organisers to ensure the proposed routes were suitable and no lasting damage occurred.

It was also necessary to make sure local communities and other recreational users of the park were not put at risk or unduly inconvenienced.

Appropriate consultation and publicity, effective marshalling and management of spectators would be required.

The organisers would be expected to cover the cost of repair where damage occurred.