BIRDCAGE at the top of Skipton High Street is winner of the yellow jersey in the town's chamber of trade Tour de France window competition.

For the past few weeks, shops and businesses have been dressing their windows with amusing, quirky and original displays to welcome this weekend's thousands of visitors to the town.

And following a tour of all the windows by professional cyclist Pete Williams and Declan Hayes, a partner in AWB Charlesworth Solicitors, the winner was revealed as Birdcage charity shop.

Second place went to Marshall and Marshall, Swadford Street, and runner-up was Skipton Mill Shop, Rope Walk.

Certificates of commendation also went to Cool Cards and Gifts, Coach Street; Stanforths Butchers, Mill Bridge, Christine's Hair Salon, Otley Street, and Age UK, Otley Street.

A chamber of trade spokesman said: "We would like to congratulate everyone who took part for their high standard of displays. We have issued all who took part with a certificate of excellence by way of appreciation for their hard work and enthusiasm."

Pete is a member of the Yorkshire based Haribo Beacon team. He has just returned from Sarajevo where he took part in the city's cycle Grand Prix, one of the events to mark the anniversary of the start of the First World War.

Declan is a keen cyclist and sports enthusiast who has completed around 20 triathlons. He is chairman of Craven Energy Triathlon Club and instrumental in the development of the junior section.