YOUNG visitors from far and wide have left their mark on a Richmond venue by taking part in a ‘cartoon relay’.

Children who visited The Shop at The Station were invited to play their part in an ongoing cartoon story throughout the school holidays.

Youngsters were asked to continue a story started by artist and The Station shop manager Sue Dewhurst.

Its popularity led to youngsters going back to the station especially to read how the book was progressing as each new visitor added their page.

The result has now been published in a 40-page book packed full exciting adventures involving quirky characters such as disco-dancing spiders, kings disguised as cats, tea-drinking bunnies and a pigeon called Dave.

Ms Dewhurst is delighted with the success of the initiative and said: “The popularity of the relay saw children returning again and again to the shop to see what had happened since their last entry.

“The book is jam-packed full of adventure and ingenious ideas from our young writers.

“Plus the odd famous local artist – see if you can spot them!

“It is so good to see children excited about being creative.

“We are so pleased to have produced this book and enable our young visitors to become published authors.’

The limited edition book can be purchased from The Shop at a cost of £7.50.

The initiative is one of many that Ms Dewhurst has been involved in to spread arts across the county.

In 2010 she helped establish a ‘Pop-Up Gallery’ taking artists, workshops and creative happenings to isolated areas of the Dales.

She was also the project manager for the inaugural Dales Festival of Art in 2013 and was the 2016 artist in residence for North Yorkshire County Libraries.