A new group will help decorate the route of next year’s Tour de France with artwork showing off what is special about some of the smaller areas.

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

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

Coun Brown (Con, Worth Valley) said it would offer the chance for small groups to get involved in the “international spectacle” of one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

The first 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 canvas image with the help of Northcliffe Environmental Enterprise Team, a Shipley charity.

Artist Vic Buta from community arts group HIVE was enlisted to help the group with designing and creating the art, inspired by railway posters of the 1930s. Coun Brown funded the project, but hopes for funding from groups like the Arts Council to support future projects.

Mr Buta said: “The work includes a reference to cycling in the artwork and also incorporate a welcome message."

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 1 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.”

The banner is on display at the NEET Open Day today between 1pm and 4pm, the Rough Nook open day on Saturday, August 31, and then at Firth’s of Haworth next month.

Any group wanting to get involved can call Coun Brown on (01535) 646074.