AN appeal is being made for second hand bikes to help decorate Norton during the Tour de Yorkshire.

The town council is looking for a variety of children’s and adult cycles that can be painted in the Tour’s colours of yellow and blue.

A budget of £4,000 has been agreed for this year’s race, which came through Norton two years ago and will return to the town on Friday, April 28.

Mayor of Norton Councillor Ray King said they were planning to decorate the route along Langton Road, Wold Street and Church Street with bunting and bikes.

“We are planning two hubs at St Peter’s Church and at the Derwent Arms where there will be a large screen, food, drink and a live band,” he said.

“The screen will be there for the duration of the day and stream the race live.”

The 173km route, which starts in Bridlington, will take in Birdsall, Norton, Malton, Amotherby, Kirby Misperton and Pickering, before heading north to Sleights, Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay, and then south to finish in Scarborough.

Cllr King said: “Our aim is to build on the success of the community event we held two years ago and hope people along the route will get into the spirit of the day and put up bunting.

“It is great that Norton is on the Tour de Yorkshire route once again - it is a great event for the town and the whole area.”

This year’s Tour de Yorkshire takes place from April 28 to 30.

Linda Cowling, leader of Ryedale District Council, said: “This is the third year that the Tour de Yorkshire has visited Ryedale, and this year we get the opportunity to welcome the event and showcase three towns, the Wolds and the Moors.

“There are huge opportunities across the district for businesses and communities to benefit from the event.”

Anyone who can donate a bike should phone Norton Town Council on 01653 695348 or email norton.tc@btconnect.com