Campaigners have called for the quango running the Welsh national parks to be made more accountable.

The Liberal Democrats backed demands on Monday by the National Parks Reforms group which claimed Wales three national parks should be made properly accountable to the communities they serve.

The NPR claimed the national parks are the only planning authorities in Britain not directly elected and plans to introduce a new planning protocol would reduce accountability even further.

"The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority introduces its protocol by claiming that it confirms a commitment to transparent government and open decision-making. Nothing could be more contradictory," said Niel Bally, the NPR co-ordinator.

"Applicants and objectors would no longer be allowed to take part in site meetings, talk or even watch them. The site committee would not be allowed to discuss anything in front of the public. This means that if you are the site or land owner, or if the meeting takes place on public land, you will be ordered away."

The group is calling on the Welsh national Assembly to step in.

The three parks are major tourist attractions and agriculture hubs covering the Brecon Beacons, the Pembrokeshire Coast and Snowdonia.

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Livsey, who is a former MP for Brecon and Radnor, has backed the calls for change.

"The whole question of accountability of the National Parks is, frankly, ripe for major reform," he said.

"Elections should be for the resident members, elected from within the Parks. Appointees should be minimal, mainly with environmental responsibilities. Then - and only then - will National Parks become truly accountable."