A CASCADE of roses could greet cyclists when they come to Ilkley for this year’s Tour de Yorkshire.

The idea - along the lines of the famous poppy display at the Tower of London - is one of a number being put forward to help promote the town.

The Cow and Calf have been chosen as the setting for the Tour’s first ever summit finish, and images of the iconic landmark will be viewed around the world on the second day of the Tour. One initiative to maximise the publicity would see the word ‘Ilkley’ spelled out in 8 foot-high wooden letters. Another would involved filling the space with cascading roses.

The ideas were discussed at a meeting of Ilkley Parish Council this week when Worth Valley ward councillor Russell Brown outlined suggestions for promoting the town and possibly involving schoolchildren in helping to make the artwork.

Cllr Brown, who created the Welcome to Yorkshire sign for the Tour de France, will come back to the parish council with a quote for the large letters.

Sue Gledhill, of Bradford Council’s Keighley Area office, suggested that a cascade of white roses would look stunning. She said lots of groups in the town could be involved in making the roses.