WELCOME to Yorkshire has confirmed artist Mackenzie Thorpe will be the Tour de Yorkshire’s official artist for 2019.

One of the biggest selling British artists of the last 30 years, Mr Thorpe established a gallery in Richmond, North Yorkshire in 1989 and the county continues to inspire his painting.

He will be creating a collection of artworks for the event which will be unveiled early next year.

Speaking about his appointment, Mr Thorpe, said: “The Tour de Yorkshire is a fantastic showcase event for the whole of Yorkshire.

"We have the most stunningly glorious scenery – for me there is nothing like the contrasting vistas of hills, dales and moorland, additionally we have the most fantastic coastline and our villages, towns, cities are steeped in a rich history.

“I want to reach out to new people through the works I’m creating for the Tour de Yorkshire and bring people with us to this wonderful event that shows off the best of our county to the rest of the world.”

His journey has taken him from the shipyards of Middlesbrough to internationally acclaimed artist, and his working-class roots in the north of England influence his atmospheric and poignant pictures.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “I have long been an admirer of Mackenzie’s bold and imaginative work.

"He is a hugely renowned artist with a world-wide following and we’re incredibly proud that he hails from Yorkshire. "