WAKING up to the sounds of Yorkshire's unofficial anthem must seem like heaven to any true Tyke.

And when everyone in sight is wearing a flat cap and the bedtime reading is Yorkshire County Cricket Club scorecards, what more could anyone ask?

The corridors of the Dunsley Hall Country House Hotel, near Whitby, will be ringing to the sound of "On Ilkla Mooar baht'at" as staff mark Yorkshire Day today by singing instead of the more traditional early morning call.

Owner Bill Ward, who publishes the Tyke Times for guests and regulars, will also be flying the county's White Rose flag in honour of the big day.

He said: "Yorkshire is the biggest and, arguably, the best county in England, and I just think we want to make more of our local heritage.

"We have this image throughout the country of cloth caps and if that is how people want to perceive us, then why not?

"It is all quite light-hearted but it has a serious connotation and there will be a genuine warm Yorkshire welcome."

Today's menu at the hotel has been given a gooseberry flavour, in honour of the Egton Gooseberry Show, from the gooseberry and stilton starter to the sole fillets with gooseberry sauce, and the gooseberry tart to finish.

Guests will also be given tips on saving money, to promote Yorkshire thrift, and the hotel will serve its residents with a complimentary pint of Black Sheep Ale, brewed at Masham.

But singing Yorkshire's anthem has not come easy to all the staff.

Mr Ward said: "They have been practising, but we have a French student with us at the moment and she has been suffering a bit."

Train operator GNER is celebrating Yorkshire Day by launching Yorkshire Terrier Ale, produced by the York Brewery, on its services.

Barley Hall, York, will be hosting a day of entertainment to mark Yorkshire Day, with cheese and wine served throughout the day. The medieval townhouse will be offering free admission throughout the day and a raffle offers the chance to win a hamper of Yorkshire food and drink