Larger than life sheep are taking up residence in Skipton, North Yorkshire this autumn to encourage people to visit the historic market town off season.

Visitors will be able to follow a unique trail around the town's main landmarks and hidden gems, as an outdoor arts project takes to the streets.

'Flock to Skipton' brings a trail of 25 sheep sculptures, painted by various artists, to locations across the town. The name, Skipton, is the medieval derivation of ‘Sheep Town’.

The sheep sculptures, sponsored by local businesses, include a pop art trio (a Bet Lynch ‘Coronation Sheep’, a John Lennon ‘All Ewe Need is Love’ sheep and a skeletal, ‘Baa-Bones’ sheep) painted by actress and artist Jayne Bickerton-Tunnicliffe, a former Coronation Street actress.

The project officially launches at Art in the Pen, one of the north of England’s premier annual art events, at Skipton Auction Mart on Saturday 14 August and will run until 14 November.

Town centre manager Brett Butler said: “We are really excited about the launch of this iconic event. The sculptures are set to form a high-profile free attraction aimed at keeping visitors coming to the town between the main summer tourist season and Christmas.”

Made from fibreglass, the individually-designed sheep are five foot length and when on the concrete plinth, stand nearly 5 foot tall. Most of the sheep will be sited in outdoor locations around the town, although some will be located indoors but freely accessible to the public, such as in a shop window.

The Flock to Skipton event has been supported by the Skipton Business Improvement District (BID). Said Joan Evans of the BID: “We are delighted to be a part of this project – a first for Skipton. It looks set to be a roaring success with the media already showing a huge interest in the event. We hope that visitors will get behind the town and really enjoy the trail.”