Yorkshire Bank, celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, is holding an event in York tonight to mark the launch of a first for both the financial and art worlds.

The Bank is to offer a new debit card featuring the work of world renowned landscape artist, Ashley Jackson, amove it claims is the first time such a work had been reproduced in this way.

“Earth to Earth, life’s pathway”, a watercolour by the Yorkshire artist, is to be immortalised in a new debit card issued by Yorkshire Bank to its private banking clients.  The new debit card will be only issued for a limited period of time from November as the bank switches to Mastercard Debit.

Jackson has already put his name behind a Yorkshire Bank painting competition for school children that will see their work used in a calendar to be sold in hospices.  The launch of the new card will provide further fundraising opportunities; the Bank has a number of limited edition, framed and signed prints that include un-issued numbered samples of the new debit card.

Dean Cutbill, director for Yorkshire Bank said: “We are extremely proud of the steps we have taken on Corporate Responsibility, we are continually reducing our carbon foot print, increasing the number of staff we have who volunteer and widening the scope of the local groups we support.

“One hundred and fifty years ago this bank was founded to support its local we community, it is absolutely right that we continue that work.  By embracing the ideals of our founder, Colonel Akroyd, and applying them in a modern context we are building a future for our business and the communities in which we operate.”