A newly-formed group will help decorate the route of next year’s Tour de France with unique artwork showing off what is special about some of the smaller, less well-known areas.

Tour d’Art is a pilot project devised by Worth Valley councillor Russell Brown, and in the run-up to next July’s Yorkshire leg of the race, will see community groups, schools and businesses work with artists to line the route with individual artwork.

They hope to obtain funding for the project, with plans for a different piece of eye-catching artwork every few hundred yards, with each painting or sculpture reflecting the best aspects of that area or community.

Coun Brown says it will offer the chance for small groups to get involved in the “international spectacle” of one of the world’s biggest sporting events and not be overshadowed by their larger neighbours.

The first collaborative piece has been created by residents at Rough Nook, the supported living home located between Haworth and Stanbury, which is on the race route. They created a large canvas image with the help of Northcliffe Environmental Enterprise Team, a Shipley-based charity.

Coun Brown funded the project, but hopes for funding from groups like the Arts Council to support future projects. The art will be on display during the race and at various other venues before and after the event.

Coun Brown said: “I came up with the idea for Tour d’Art after driving the Grand Depart stage one route with a friend a few months ago.

“The Yorkshire landscape is spectacular and inspiring, and as we drove through the quirky villages and towns en route, I thought there must be a way to get local people to feel a part of this massive international spectacle.

“Each community has its distinctive characteristics and attractions. I felt it was important to give each community the chance to show the world what is so special about their part of Yorkshire and the folk who live there. It seemed logical to get community groups working together creatively to come up with individual ‘Welcome to Yorkshire’ messages.”

The banner will be on display at the Rough Nook Open Day on August 31 and then at Firth’s of Haworth next month.

Contact Coun Brown on (01535) 646074 to get involved.