The white rose is being shown with pride today, as Hull and East Riding residents join forces to celebrate Yorkshire Day.

Brass bands, pie and peas and a good local cup of tea will all go down a treat as the region celebrates the day dedicated to the UK's largest historic county.

Michael Wood, the East Riding's town crier, will be shouting louder than ever as he joins in the celebrations in The Indian Hawk, Hessle Square.

Events taking place in the car park from 11am and 2pm include a procession, speeches, band, balloon modeller, face painter and there will also be a church service.

Mr Wood said: "I think the best things about this county are the friendly people.

"We like to celebrate Yorkshire Day, not because we are insecure about where we live, but because we know we live in such an excellent county that we have something to shout about.

"For me, the greatest thing about being a Yorkshireman is the fact it means I'm not from Lancashire.

"Seriously though, it's a great county and we look forward to everyone, wherever they are from, taking part in the various events."

Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Karen Woods, is representing the city at the annual Yorkshire Day civic ceremony, which this year is taking place at Ryedale House in Malton.

She said: "I am proud to have the honour of representing Hull at the annual Yorkshire Day civic ceremony.

"It is important celebrate the history of this great county and protect its heritage long into the future."

The aim of Yorkshire Day is to promote the historic English county of Yorkshire.

It was first celebrated in 1975 by the Yorkshire Ridings Society as a protest movement against the decision to change the Humber area of Yorkshire into the new county of Humberside.

Also, on this day in 1759, soldiers from Yorkshire regiments, who had fought in the Battle of Minden in Germany, picked white roses from bushes near to the battlefields as a tribute to their fallen comrades.

Roger Sewell, vice-chairman of the executive committee of the Yorkshire Ridings' Society, has walked 250 miles from York to Minden to plant a white rose bush near the monument to the battle.

The distance marked the 250 years since the Yorkshire Infantry regiment, The 51st Regiment of Foot, who reportedly wore roses on their uniforms, fought in the battle.

Regarding Yorkshire Day, Mr Sewell said: "It is very important to remind people Yorkshire still exists. It is the biggest and best county, though I am very interested in other counties.

"The thing about Yorkshire is geographically, you can't generalise the area, with the coast and the Moors, to name but a few of the different areas – it's like a country of its own.

"I would say there is a lot of pride and this year there are more events taking place than previous years to celebrate the day."

Outside the area, there is the annual Yorkshire Day Straw Bale race at York Maze this afternoon.

Tom Pearcy, the inventor of the race, said: "The aim is to roll a giant round bale of straw along a 50m course.

"This is the fourth year we have held the competition and people come back year after year."

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome To Yorkshire, is urging people in the area to take part in the celebrations in some form.

He said: "We're proud of the fact that our region is the UK's largest county. It's certainly the most diverse in terms of its tourism offer.

"Take my word for it, this is the best place to be, not only on Yorkshire Day but each and every day of the year."