Communities across North Yorkshire have been awarded more than £9,000 to help celebrate the arrival of the Tour of Britain next weekend.
Fourteen towns and villages along the route of the North Yorkshire stage of the Lloyds Tour of Britain will share £9,178 for decorations, entertainment and community activities.
The race will take place on Saturday, September 5, starting in Helmsley before travelling across the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales and finishing in Leyburn.
Among the communities receiving funding are Harmby, Patrick Brompton and Leyburn, as well as Kettlewell, Buckden, Grassington and Kilnsey.
The money has been provided through the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Mayoral Community Grant and is being delivered by North Yorkshire Council.
Communities plan to use the grants for cycling-themed decorations, locally-made bunting, welcome banners, decorated bicycles, Yorkshire Rose artwork and displays.
Funding will also pay for entertainment, family activities and infrastructure for events being staged as the cyclists pass through.
Leyburn Town Council chair Cllr Alison Littlewood-Laws said: “We’re thrilled to receive this funding to help Leyburn mark its role as the finish location for the North Yorkshire stage.
“It will enable us to create a real sense of occasion in the town and ensure residents and visitors can fully enjoy being part of such a prestigious sporting event.”
The stage is expected to be among the toughest in this year’s men’s Tour of Britain, featuring around 2,700 metres of climbing.
North Yorkshire Council leader Cllr Carl Les said the race was one of the country’s biggest free-to-attend sporting events.
He added: “These grants will help communities celebrate the occasion, bring people together and create a memorable experience for residents, visitors and cycling fans alike.”
Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith said the event would provide an opportunity to showcase the county to a global audience.
He said: “We’ll be showing off the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Dales and the vibrant communities that call these spectacular places home on a global stage.”
The Tour of Britain is broadcast in more than 100 countries, with free-to-air coverage also planned in the UK.
As well as Leyburn, Harmby and Patrick Brompton, grants have been awarded to Helmsley, Coxwold, Easingwold, Brafferton and Helperby, Grantley and Sawley, Ripon, Pateley Bridge, Grassington, Kilnsey, Kettlewell and Buckden.
North Yorkshire is also due to host a stage of the race again in 2027.
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