TOUR OF BRITAIN 2015: Village saddles up for arrival of world's elite

Featured

Music

THE world’s best cyclists will arrive in Whalley to streets lined with specially designed flags.

Businesses will proudly be boasting flags of Whalley and Britain, provided by the Chamber of Trade, as the Aviva 2015 Tour of Britain races through the Ribble Valley and Pendle.

Man seriously injured after car collides with bus

‘One in a million’ pub landlord remembered after battling brain tumour

Accrington singing sensation Reece Bibby 'set to join new band' after Stereo Kicks split

Accrington family forced to flee as fire bomb thrown through window

As excitement sweeps the village, community organisations have revealed their plans to help spectators enjoy the momentous day on Monday, September 7.

Volunteers from Whalley & District Lion will be flooding the streets helping to signpost spectators to the best places to grab a glimpse of cycling superstars, such as Chorley-based Bradley Wiggins.

Gillian Darbyshire, Whalley and District Lions president, said: “We are excited for it to start. The place looks incredible with all the work that’s gone on recently in the village. It will be a great day.

“We’ve even got members of other Lions clubs such as Bolton coming down to help us with the operation of the event.”

Fans’ zones will be allocated across the town including at The Whalley Arms, Judge Walmsley and Billington Brass Band Club, where spectators can watch the event unfold.

The Tour of Britain is the UKs largest free-to-spectate annual sporting event, with tens of thousands of people expected to visit East Lancashire.

Stage Two will see more than 20 of the world’s top cycling teams, including Olympic and Tour de France winners, power through the Ribble Valley, taking in much of the borough en route to Colne.

The race will be broadcast internationally by 16 television channels across 139 territories, particularly in Europe, Australia and the USA, attracting more than 200 million viewers.

Mrs Darbyshire said she was also looking forward to efforts in Whalley in Bloom being put on display.

She added: “All the clubs have worked well together.”