A YORKSHIRE artist who has already helped put her beloved county on the map is back in the spotlight ahead of a world-class event.

Harrogate-based paper cut artist Anita Bowerman, has been unveiled as an official artist to the first Tour de Yorkshire.

She earned global recognition last year after creating a metre-high paper cut map showing the Grand Départ for the Tour de France.

Now Anita, who has been a professional artist for 20 years, has created a special design for May's inaugural Tour de Yorkshire, featuring 12 cyclists racing around a bike wheel.

It has been designed using just a pencil and compass and then hand cut from one piece of paper using just a tiny scalpel.

Anita said: "I wanted to take the design further so, together with my brother who is an engineer, developed this cycle wheel in stainless steel, which glints in the sunlight."

Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive Gary Verity said: “It’s great to have Anita on board as an official artist.

“Her work is wonderfully intricate and unique, and it’s a real thrill to see a piece of Anita’s work capture the essence of the Tour de Yorkshire in art form.”

Anita added: “Last summer, I was inspired to create a new piece by the incredible scenes of the Grand Départ for the Tour de France in Yorkshire, and I’m absolutely delighted to now be involved in the first Tour de Yorkshire.

“It’s a real honour to be an official artist, and I’m proud to be a part of Yorkshire history.”

Anita’s paper-cuts, as well as her paintings, are available to view at her studio and on her website anitabowerman.co.uk