Sheep stat-ewes

UNLIKE the herd of concrete cows which saw Milton Keynes become the butt of so many jokes, there's a serious point behind Skipton's sculptured sheep who will be taking up residence in the Dales townlater this summer.

As well as utilising the region's creative skills and the imagination of school pupils, it is hoped that these colourful creatures will encourage even more visitors to flock to Skipton – a town that continues to thrive because of its innovative approach towards tourism and business.

A decade after the opening of Skipton's Millennium Walk, which the sheep trail will help to relaunch, this visual approach also highlights the importance of agriculture's heritage and the continuing value of locally-sourced food.

And, unlike the herd of mock cows in the Home Counties, these animals will not look out of place – sheep remain one of the enduring symbols of Skipton, and the Yorkshire Dales.