Residents across the region are being invited to get creative to welcome the Tour of Britain 2022 cycle race to the county in September.
The organisers of the national event, SweetSpot, are inviting land art entries along the entire route of the eight stages of the race, which will take place between September 4, and September 11.
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Stage three of the race will visit the North East on Tuesday, September 6, with the cyclists riding from Durham to Sunderland
The following day's stage four will begin in Redcar then run through Whitby before heading into the North York Moors National Park.
The final 30 kilometres will feature the demanding climbs of Carlton Bank and Newgate Bank – both two kilometres long – before descending into the finish at Duncombe Park at Helmsley.
The tradition of creating land art along the route has long been the practice at the Tour of Britain, as well as other cycle races around the world.
And the Tour of Britain has organised a competition to select the best piece of artwork at every edition since 2018.
In North Yorkshire, the practice has been embraced during previous major cycling events in the county, from the Tour de France Grand Départ to the UCI Road World Championships.
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North Yorkshire County Councillor Simon Myers, said: “North Yorkshire folk are renowned for their enthusiasm in embracing cycling events in the county.
"Land art is a wonderful visual way of welcoming the Tour of Britain, as well as a way of bringing schools and communities together to enjoy fun-filled, creative time.
"I’m sure people will rise to the challenge to show what North Yorkshire can do as we look forward to this major free sporting event.”
County council leader Cllr Carl Les added: “We are delighted to once again host a major competitive cycling to North Yorkshire.
"This is an excellent opportunity to showcase parts of our beautiful county, including the coast and moors, to a national and international television audience, as well as the many visitors and residents who will no doubt line the route."
Tour of Britain Race Director Mick Bennett said: “The land art competition always brings out the creativity in the communities that we pass through.
"The entries never cease to bring a smile to our faces, and I am sure that of viewers around the world watching on TV.
"Over the past three editions we have had some wonderful entries to the competition and I am sure that the standard will be equally high this year.”
The winning entry will be decided after the race by a panel comprising Mr Bennett, members of the ITV4 broadcast team and staff from SweetSpot.
The winners will be presented with a trophy, and two runners-up will also be announced.
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