MONOPOLY has chosen the Yorkshire Dales for its newest edition of the "world’s most famous board game" - and the sun came out for today's launch at Bolton Abbey Station.
Now, an appeal has gone out to Craven folk to suggest just what should replace landmarks from the classic London version, such as Leicester Square and Oxford Street, on the game’s famous colourful squares.
Top-hatted Mr Monopoly himself was at Bolton Abbey when it was revealed that the Dales had beaten nine other places across the world to be the subject of the newest edition of the board game.
This included The Amazon Rainforest and Africa’s Serengeti, and the Dales version is due to hit the shelves next Spring.
The event - which included a whistle-stop tour of the Dales - also marked the start of a public challenge to suggest what places should be included on the board and what game pieces should be used in place of the original tokens, including Mr Monopoly's top hat and the racing car.
Members of the public are also being invited to suggest how the "Chance" and "Community Chest" cards could be customised to fit a "Dales" theme.
This will focus on the wording of the cards - where players are fined or receive prizes for misdemeanors, or for winning contests.
People now have until the end of the month to put forward ideas - which could include a flat cap in place of the top hat, a pair of walking boots or wellies instead of the boot token, and a quad-bike in place of the racing car.
There is also plenty of scope for the locations - Janet’s Foss, on the water works square perhaps; and Settle’s Victoria Hall, or Skipton Town Hall, in place of the original’s Leicester Square, London’s entertainment epicentre.
Then there are also Ribblehead and Settle railway stations - musts along with Bolton Abbey Station.
Dales versions of the special cards might include walkers being fined for leaving gates open, or a cash prize for completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Some of the key factors Monopoly bosses considered were "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty", "stunning landmarks" and "tourist appeal".
John Keen-Tomlinson, Custom Games Executive of Winning Moves, makers of Monopoly, talking at Tuesday’s launch said: “We are very excited by the challenge of putting this unique board for the Yorkshire Dales together.
“The sun came out to welcome the news that the Dales is getting its own edition of the world’s most famous and popular board game.
“The sun also welcomed Mr Monopoly who was mobbed around parts of the Dales as we announced the exciting news.
“A slab of Wensleydale cheese as a token was a popular choice from shoppers in Skipton.
"In Grassington they said Malham Cove should be in the far up reaches of the board.
“As for train stations, we are going to be very spoiled for choices.”
Voting is underway now and will close on August 31.
People can send their suggestions on the official Monopoly: Yorkshire Dales Edition game Facebook page, or by email on: dales@winningmoves.co.uk
Over the last 25 years, Winning Moves has produced a variety of special official versions of Monopoly - from Palm Springs to Sydney and Dubai to Dublin.
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