MORE than 1,000 mini jerseys have been knitted by Women’s Institute members in North Yorkshire in a bid to decorate the region for this summer’s Tour de France Grand Depart.

Members of the WI’s North Yorkshire (West) Federation have joined knitters from across Europe as volunteers for Harrogate Borough Council’s ‘Tour de Bunting.’

They completed an impressive 1,143 jerseys, presenting them to the council this week to add to around 10,000 others which will make up the unique bunting.

Federation chairwoman Julie Clarke said: “The response we have had has been overwhelming. It has also been a great chance for our members to get together and feel part of a much bigger project.”

Councillor Pat Jones, Harrogate council’s Cabinet member for cultural services, commended the ladies’ efforts, saying: “I would like to thank everyone who has taken up their knitting needles to respond to the challenge. This contribution from the WI is amazing.”

Julie added: “Harrogate council has done a fantastic job in organising it and we can’t wait to see the jerseys in all their glory in July.”