TWO-metre high Yorkshire animals and birds will line part of the route of the Tour de Yorkshire between Pocklington and Malton.

Ryedale wildlife artist Robert Fuller has created 28 paintings of hares, foxes, puffins, badgers and birds of prey.

They will be put up at the top of Garrowby Hill, or Cote de Garrowby, on the A166 near Stamford Bridge, which is a high point of Stage One of the bike race on Friday April 28.

He chose the site because it is the nearest part of the race route to his studio and gallery in Thixendale.

The artist said: “I want to highlight the wealth of wildlife that you can find here in the Yorkshire Coast area. As the cameras following the Tour De Yorkshire pan over the stunning Wolds countryside, I want them to be reminded of the wildlife hidden in the landscape so that anyone inspired to visit the area after the race is over will come and see the wild creatures here.”

Stage Two of the three-day race will begin on Tadcaster Bridge to mark its post-flood restoration.