A MUSEUM with a grim history is set to brighten its buildings ahead of the Tour de France passing by.

Ripon’s Workhouse Museum, where the atmosphere of the Victorian workhouse has been carefully preserved, is inviting volunteers to help cover bikes large and small with knitting, crochet, rag rugging and weaving.

Visitors will be invited to try using traditional yarn skills to decorate the cycles from Tuesday, May 27, to Thursday, May 29, for display ahead of the Grand Depart stage through the city on July 5.

In nearby North Stainley, plans for the opening stage include a concert in the village church, entertainment, camping and a slow bike race.

Pupils at North Stainley Primary School have, with the support of Rural Arts, in Thirsk, completed 17 paintings, giving the French Impressionists a Yorkshire twist.

The paintings will be enlarged and framed hung in the village, an 8ft sculpture with two rotating wheels and a iron stag artwork are set to be unveiled and the three village ponds will be covered with illuminated floating lilies.

For details of the workhouse event, call 01765-690799 or email info@riponmuseums.co.uk