AN artist in residence has been appointed as part of plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cleveland Way next year.

The popular 109-mile walk runs across the North York Moors from Helmsley to Filey Brigg and turns 50 on May 24, 2019.

Landscape artist Debbie Loane from Easingwold, near Thirsk, has been appointed as the trail’s artist in residence and is now preparing a major exhibition of her work.

It will be based on her interpretation of six very distinct stretches of the Cleveland Way trail which have been chosen to reflect the diverse landscape along the route.

These include the tree-lined route above Rievaulx Abbey, the sweeping escarpment of Sutton Bank, the cliff-tops around Skinningrove and Boulby and the urban townscape of Scarborough.

Titled ‘109 Miles’, the exhibition will run from May 11 to June 9 at the National Park’s Inspired by gallery at Danby to coincide with the anniversary.

Other plans to celebrate the Cleveland Way’s 50th will reflect the diversity of the landscape and the broad range of activities along the trail.

Malcolm Hodgson, Cleveland Way National Trails Officer said: “When the trail first opened it was mainly popular with hikers but now runners, families and artists are just as likely to enjoy sections of the route as well as those with particular interests such as bird watching or fossil hunting.

“It’s also the sheer diversity of the landscape and terrain that makes the Cleveland Way special – whether you’re after a quiet sandy cove, beautiful heather moorland or dramatic scenery such as Sutton Bank’s escarpment from which author and vet James Herriot declared the view to be the ‘finest in England’.”

The anniversary plans include the publication of a booklet in the New Year listing the general public’s suggestions for the 50 best things to do on the Cleveland Way.

A new film is being made about the trail and a special 50-mile ultramarathon running event will take place on the Cleveland Way on March 16, organised by the Hardmoors Ultra Series.

There will also be a series of walking festivals and a special event on May 24 involving walkers wearing 1960s hiking gear trekking from Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey.