A CHOCOLATE shop has joined the Tour de France fever by creating a bicycle made entirely from chocolate.

As the region gears up to welcome the Grand Depart to Yorkshire, businesses and residents have come up with an array of unusual and creative ideas to mark the event.

So far they have ranged from the creation of knitted bikes to a life-sized sculpture of a cyclist made from unwanted toys created by an arts club for youngsters in Thirsk.

Now The Little Chocolate Shop in Leyburn has created its own tribute to the world’s most famous annual sporting event.

The shop’s chocolatier, John Dalby, has created a bicycle which will remain on display in the store until the Tour de France arrives.

Joy Healey, from the shop, said smaller chocolate bicycles on sale have already proved a hit with customers looking for a Tour de France souvenir from the town.

“It’s all just part of the fun of the build-up to the Tour de France. Everybody is putting their efforts into marking the tour and this is our part of it.

“It tested the chocolatier; a bike is a very specific shape. It was intricate to make and it involved a lot of improvising.”