BEDALE’S newest residents were officially welcomed to the town with the unveiling of new deer sculptures.

Civic dignitaries, local schoolchildren and artists went along to see the family of deer which have taken up residence on the edge of the town.

The herd can now be spotted grazing by the side of the road close to the golf course.

Funded by the Arts Council and local building developer contributions, the work of art was created as part of a project to encourage people to head into Bedale as they drive along the relief road to Leyburn.

Residents and school pupils were asked for ideas before the deer were picked to reflect the town’s medieval deer park as seen on maps of the 1600s.

One of the earlier suggestions for the £50,000 artwork was a 20ft high curlew but this was dismissed after an outcry from residents and concern from heritage groups that it didn’t fit in with the town’s historic buildings

Sculptors Brian and George Fell sculpted the deer near Wakefield.