BUDDING artists from as young as two have been involved in a major community arts project to help welcome the Tour de France.

The first painting sessions of the Road Through York have been showing off the talents of people in the city, and now more residents are being invited to join in.

The project, run as part of City of York Council’s York: Be Part Of It arts programme to welcome the Tour de France, aims to re-create an original painting by Karen Winship in 320 one- metre-square sections, painted by individual artists from the community.

Councillor Sonja Crisp, York council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: “When complete, the piece will be exhibited at York Racecourse on July 6 when air-borne cameras will hopefully relay it to the estimated 3 billion watching the Tour de France on TV across the globe.”

Taking inspiration from the work of David Hockney, the piece pays homage to some of the most famous and much-loved landmarks of York.

Amateur artists from adult education classes, residential homes, schools and charitable-based organisations as well as people who simply want to be part of it are invited to join in.

Painting sessions have involved people from two to 90.

To find out how to get involved in the excitement to the Tour de France in York at www.experiencetherace.com