AN ARTS and cultural festival has been launched in York to mark the start of the 100-day countdown to the city’s Tour De France Grand Depart later in the year.

York: Be Part Of it! - is intended by City of York Council to give everyone a taste of the buzz brought by the cycle race.

Green-fingered residents are also being urged to ‘plant the city yellow’ to mark the Grand Depart, with free packs of marigold seeds available.

It has also been revealed that York’s Designer Outlet will be the city’s second official Grand Depart Spectator Hub, with family activities, a large screen, street theatre and cycling entertainment planned.