Hundreds of 'lost sheep' used to promote the Yorkshire Dales-Tour de France link

A host of farms, businesses and visitor attractions across the Yorkshire Dales and neighbouring areas are participating in the Tour de France promotional campaign by creating and displaying images and models of sheep wearing yellow jerseys – a nod to the fact that the tour will be coming to the area next July.

As visitors travel through the Yorkshire Dales, they can participate in the free competition by simply entering the location of three Lost Sheep online at DalesDiscoveries.com.

All correct entries will go through to a prize draw where there is a chance to win one of around 80 prizes donated by local businesses, ranging from entrance tickets to popular attractions, through to vouchers and discounts on goods, overnight accommodation and meals out.

The competition, which started on Friday and runs until September 5, has been organised by Susan Briggs, of the Dales Tourism Business Network. It is part of the Woollen Hills project, a year-long celebration of the importance that sheep and wool have on Dales life, which is supported by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

Susan said: “There are more than 30 times the number of sheep in the Dales than people – that’s almost 600,000 sheep. “They’re of real economic importance, shape the scenery that people know and love and really knit the Dales community together.

“The Lost Sheep campaign is designed to draw attention to this in a light-hearted way as people visit the Dales this summer. “Visitors should look out for ‘lost sheep’ created out of chicken wire and egg boxes, or knitted, painted or even baked into bread!

“These will be displayed in windows, gardens or on roadsides and railings until September along with instructions on how to enter. We’ve designed the competition to be simple to enter and fun for all the family as people tour through the region this summer.”

For more information, visit DalesDiscoveries.com