A specially painted Tour de France celebration bicycle has had to be rescued from the River Wharfe in Otley.

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.

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 into the river.

The In Bloom team, using a hastily assembled rope and DIY hook, have now recovered the bike and are trying to stay philosophical about the Otley Show day ‘mischief’.

But they will be locking their fleet of yellow bikes in place from now on to prevent future problems.