The Yorkshire Party is calling for Yorkshire Day – August 1 – to be made a bank holiday within the region.

White rose bunting has been installed in Harrogate to mark the yearly celebration, which occurs tomorrow.

The Yorkshire Party, which campaigns for devolution for Yorkshire in the form of a Yorkshire Regional Parliament, wants to take things further.

It said today an extra summer bank holiday would enable the county to celebrate its Yorkshire heritage and break up the long period between May and Christmas, which currently has only one bank holiday.

Yorkshire Day bunting on Princes Street.

England has eight bank holidays — fewer than many other countries.

Dr Bob Buxton, the Yorkshire Party’s co-leader, said:

“There’s a strong argument that England should have more bank holidays.  Why not have one to celebrate our regional identity here in Yorkshire, at the height of summer?”

“Scotland and Northern Ireland both have their own bank holidays; there’s no reason why Yorkshire couldn’t do likewise, which could give a massive boost to Yorkshire’s tourist and leisure sectors, from the coast to the Dales.”