Hundreds of jobs could be literally dug out of the ground if plans to develop a potash mine between Whitby and Scarborough are approved.

International company Sirius Minerals has announced it is looking into the viability of mining potash - a potassium compound used in fertilisers.

The move comes after the company bought private company York Potash Ltd in a £25m deal.

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The project is at an early stage, but could result in hundreds of development and construction jobs, Sirius said.

The land earmarked for the project lies within the boundaries of North York Moors National Park, and planning permission would be required before any extraction could begin.

The Boulby Mine, which has been producing potash since 1973, is also on land at the park.

Sirius Minerals said while the York Potash Project was still at a preliminary stage they believed its potential was "significant".

North York Moors National Park Authority planners, said: "Any application for potash exploration would be looked at by the authority, in terms of its likely impact on the local environment."

(BMcC/GK)