A YORK park is planning a real treat for art lovers in July.

The Friends of Rowntree Park have selected Nick Booth as their first-ever artist in residence for 2018.

Nick will take inspiration from the Bayeux Tapestry, and how it tells the story of unfolding events to celebrate the park’s past, present and future.

During June, he is spending time in the park, before returning to his studio to create his artworks.

The results of his visits to the park will go on display in the reading cafe from the weekend of July 7-8, when Nick will also be available to discuss his work with visitors.

Cath Mortimer, secretary of the Friends volunteer group, came up with the idea of having an artist in residence.

She said: "Many iconic properties or parks have an artist in residence scheme, from Chatsworth House to Yellowstone Park, allowing artists the chance to explore the site and respond to it, using their chosen medium.

"The Friends are particularly keen to celebrate both the historic nature of the Park and its natural beauty, and this scheme is an opportunity to explore this in a creative way.

"We plan to continue with the scheme and applications for 2019 will open in the Autumn."

Nick, a third year art student at the University of York St John, was chosen from a number of student applications, judged by local artists.

He describes himself as a sculptural artist with an interest in ecological and environmental art, incorporating scavenged materials into his mixed-media work.

His aim is that the finished work will reaffirm the importance of the park to the people of York over past decades.

During the weekend of July 7-8, art students from the York St John University will also be exhibiting their work in the park, as part of a project run jointly by the university, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the Friends.

There will be a scarecrow trail as part of the Bloom! festival celebrations, which will guide people through the local area and back to the park to enjoy the artworks on display.

For more information go to @friendsrowntreepark on Facebook, www.rowntreepark.org.uk or go to www.bloomyork.com for details of the scarecrow trail.