A NEW Arts Trail has been launched in Otley.

Otley BID has teamed up with local gallery Art Works to create a route for residents and visitors to follow to see some of the town’s most significant works.

The trail takes in eight locations along a walk around the town centre and an accompanying map, available free to download, has been produced to guide people.

A plaque has also been created at each location to provide information.

Highlights along the way include the statue of renowned cabinet maker and furniture designer Thomas Chippendale, which stands in Manor Square. Chippendale was born in Otley in June, 1718 and the town held a programme of events last year to mark his 300th anniversary.

The bronze floor plaques outside Otley Courthouse – a former magistrates court - also feature. They were created for the Courthouse’s re-opening as an arts venue, in 2004, by artist Les Biggs and are based on 19th Century legal documents.

Also featured in the trail is the eye-catching mosaic armchair, produced by artist Frances Taylor, that sits outside the Woolpack Music Studios.

Katie Burnett of Otley BID said: “Otley has long been a place to visit for art lovers thanks to our fabulous galleries and unique pieces of street art.

“While we have many different pieces around the town, we decided to produce a simple trail to offers visitors a quick way of navigating eight of the main works on a short, simple walk.

“Some of the pieces are subtly hidden and others more prominent – we hope people enjoy finding them as much as they enjoy the art when discovered.”

Other artworks which feature include two cycling inspired pieces by Otley artist Shane Green that were made to welcome the Tour de France to Otley in 2014 - a sculpture, entitled Peleton, and a mural.

Art lovers can also look forward to seeing Cats and Mice by James Davis, Flaming Dry Stone Wall by the Otley and Yorkshire Dales branch of the Dry Stone Walling Association, and Tommies – There But Not There, which was inspired by a photograph taken in World War One by Horace Nicholls.

The Otley Arts Trail map can be downloaded at https://www.visitotley.co.uk/otley-walking-trails/ .

Its introduction says: “Otley has long been a prime place to visit for art lovers thanks to its many galleries and unique pieces of street art.

“The latter are too many to mention all in one place, but this simple trail follows eight of the main ones that can be enjoyed on a short walk around the town centre.”