CYCLING fans in Cumbria are eagerly counting down the days to a sporting spectacular which will bring some of the world's top riders to the county.

The sixth stage of the Tour of Britain gets underway in Barrow next month and the race will take in Ulverston before heading north through the central Lakes.

Cllr Chris Hogg, South Lakeland District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure, said: “Ulverston is already getting into the swing of it and we’d like to see other communities along the route doing the same and giving the Tour of Britain a very warm welcome.

“The event brings world-class athletes to our streets, attracts thousands of people who turn out to watch, brings economic benefits and showcases our wonderful area to a worldwide TV audience.”

Speaking at a countdown event held at Ulverston Leisure Centre, the town’s Deputy Mayor Sharon Webster said: “I’m so proud of Ulverston and this is a real opportunity for us to enjoy a world stage.

"With just a month to go I’d like people to think about what they can do to show their support, for example by decorating a bicycle or a wheel, making a flag or putting some bunting up and lining the route to cheer as the riders go by."

The sixth stage of this year’s Tour of Britain event starts on Friday, September 7, in Barrow. It will then follow a route through Ulverston, Gawthwaite, Water Yeat, Torver, Coniston, Hawkshead Hill, Outgate, Ambleside, Rydal and Grasmere

The riders will then continue to Keswick and Cockermouth before eventually finishing the 168km stage at Whinlatter Pass.

The Tour of Britain last visited South Lakeland in 2016, a year after the devastating Storm Desmond floods. Figures showed that the event attracted 40,000 spectators in South Lakeland and an estimated audience of 1.1million viewers worldwide watched coverage of the Cumbria stage on ITV4.

For more details about this year’s event and its route through South Lakeland visit: www.tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/stage-six