Cartoonist Sharon Nicol hopes her pen and ink friend, Tracey, will become a familiar face across York - as she stars in a set of her own postcards.

The talented part-time illustrator has won a contract to sell "The Face of Trace" postcards at York-based Athena, as well as a string of other outlets in the city. Sharon, 28, said the set of 12 postcards, which feature familiar York sights such as The Minster, are "traditional Blackpool humour" with a local twist.

She says they have "got a great reaction from people" and she hopes to expand the range to other historical cities and tourist attractions, such as Edinburgh and Bath.

The colourful postcards, which cost 80p each, are available at Athena in New Street, Jorvik, the York Dungeon, and the York Brewery in Toft Green.

Simon Coates, a director at Athena, said: "We do have a tradition of selling risque humour so this, with it's local interest, is absolutely ideal."

Updated: 09:16 Thursday, July 17, 2003