One of Otley's specially painted Tour de France celebration bicycles has had to be rescued from the River Wharfe.

The bright yellow bike, one of about 20 that Otley in Bloom has positioned around the town, was stolen from its home behind Waitrose supermarket on Saturday night.

The bicycle, trailing yellow flowers from its floral baskets, was then taken down Westgate, over Beech Hill and on to Otley Bridge – where it was thrown in the river.

The In Bloom team, using a hastily assembled rope and DIY grappling iron, have now recovered the bike and said they were trying to stay philosophical about the Otley Show day “mischief”. But they added they will be locking their fleet of yellow bikes in place from now on to prevent future problems.