Olympic and world champion cyclists are gearing up for the eighth annual Colne Grand Prix tonight.

Thousands of people are expected to line the streets to watch the elite cyclists battle it out around the 800 metre circuit.

The race, which is part of Britain’s Elite Men’s Circuit Series, is held over 60 laps around the town centre. Colne’s own Olympic medallist Steven Burke will be in action for the UK Youth Team while Pendle’s Paul Oldham will be out to shine.

Ed Clancy, who won Olympic gold for Great Britain at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing in the Team Pursuit, was third last year and is expected to be a strong challenger again.

Beforehand, 1970s nostalgia will be the order of the day when the inaugural Chopper bike dash takes place.

There will be a Le Mans-style start as riders of vintage and new Choppers race from the pits for their bikes, and do two laps of the Colne town centre circuit.

Carl Pawson, of the Pendle Raleigh Group, commutes on his Chopper to work at Boyce’s shop in Nelson.

He said: “We’re all big kids from Colne who remember the classic choppers of the seventies.

“We come from all walks of life, from brickies to mechanics, and we even have a gunsmith in the group.

“All generations are taking part in the dash, including young lads and lasses from our club whose parents had a Chopper first time around.

"If you’re a closet Chopper rider, then it’s time to come out,” he added.

He added: “It’s for a good cause as we’ll be collecting for the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Trust and Cycle Sport Pendle on the night.”

Coun George Askew, chairman of the Colne area committee, said: “This is another great reason to be in Colne for the Grand Prix.

“I wouldn’t miss it for anything and urge Colners and other Pendle residents to come along to a fantastic free event.”

* The Colne Grand Prix is on Wednesday, July 13. The Chopper dash is just before 7pm, followed by the support race, with the flag being waved to start the Colne Grand Prix at 8pm. Anyone interested in taking part should call 01282 619916 or 01282 614412.