WORTH Valley residents went back to school during the Easter holidays, all for the sake of art and fun.

Oxenhope Primary School opened its doors for a special community art and craft project organised by district councillor Russell Brown. It was designed to bring people together to prepare street-side decorations for next month's visit of the Tour de Yorkshire race.

Head teacher John Parkin said: "It was lovely to welcome so many people from the community into the school and I hope this will lead to other projects based here.

"Oxenhope has such a strong community spirit and everyone enjoys the major sporting events that continue to pass through our village.

"Oxenhope Parish Council part funded the event at our school to prepare for the tour coming through and council members also joined in with the painting.

"Thanks to Russell who put in the hard work and preparation, and was there on the day running it as well. He’s doing similar projects across the local area for the tour."

The school received visitors of all ages on April 12 to paint Yorkshire roses, which will be lining the streets on the weekend of the Tour de Yorkshire.

Members of the community enjoyed a day of art and socialising with tea and biscuits provided by Oxenhope Co-op as part of the day.

Such was the enthusiasm for getting the roses painted that this part of the project was completed early.

It meant a group of primary school aged children had time to assemble a set of giant letters which will spell out "Oxenhope" and will be visible from the tour's accompanying helicopters.

Ken Eastwood, chairman of Oxenhope Parish Council, said: “This was a great community event.

"Many thanks to head teacher John Parkin and other staff for making the school available and positively participating in the project.

"I’m looking forward to seeing the Oxenhope sign and the rosettes along the route and I hope the village will turn out in force on May 6, when the Tour de Yorkshire passes through Oxenhope. Its estimated time here is between 12.30pm and 1.30pm."