The king-size postcards are part of South Tyneside Council's Picture Yourself in South Shields campaign to encourage tourism.

They will be set up in King Street, South Shields, on Saturday, June 27, to mark the start of South Tyneside Business Week.

The campaign has seen the council, businesses and tourist attractions join forces in a bid to boost the borough's economy and attract more visitors.

Town centre shoppers and visitors will be photographed popping their heads through holes in the postcards.

Geoff Ford, chairman of South Tyneside Enterprise Partnership, said: "South Tyneside is the only borough in Tyne and Wear to have its own business week, and when the planning group got together earlier in the year, we thought long and hard about what type of programme would be relevant and would support local businesses during the economic downturn.

"It soon became clear that there was lots we could do, so holding this business week is even more essential for local businesses and the wider community at this challenging time.

"This year, we have some exciting new additions as a result of successful new partnerships and innovative activity in the borough.

"This includes attracting BT as a new and very welcome business partner, and launching Picture Yourself in South Shields, our joint campaign to market our way out of the recession."

Other highlights include record-breaking yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur speaking at an environmental business evening at the Customs House in South Shields on Monday, June 29.

BT will host a business evening at the Little Haven Hotel, South Shields, on the same night, and there will be an art and photography display in King Street on Saturday, July 4.

For more details, click on to www.southtynesidemeansbusiness.co.uk