Today's second stage of cycling's Tour of Britain from Kendal through Lancashire to Blackpool has been cancelled for safety reasons due to high winds.

The decision was made with around an hour to go until the stage start, leaving the world's top cyclists - including Mark Cavendish and Thor Hushovd - disappointed and the crowds dejected.

Large parts of the country have been hit by blustery conditions and organisers, based on guidance from the police and Highways Agency, decided to scrap today's stage altogether.

But with the Kendal streets lined with spectators, the 16 teams went on a two-lap procession around the town before they head down to Stoke for the third stage tomorrow.

"We've had to take the decision based on the advice we've had from the police and Highways that it is unsafe to run today's stage so it is being cancelled, unfortunately," a Tour spokesman said.

Race director Mike Bennett said: “In my thirty years of organising cycling events I have never once had to cancel a stage before it even started, so this is not a decision that has been taken lightly.

“However, today has presented as with a set of extreme circumstances.

"The safety of competitors, officials, staff and of course spectators is of more importance than the spectacle of the event.

"We cannot, and will not take the slightest risk when it comes to safety, hence today’s decision.

“Pockets of the route, including the start at Kendal were more sheltered but still experienced extremely blustery conditions.

"In the main, though, there were large sections of the stage on exposed hillsides, including the three Skoda King of the Mountains locations, plus the final five kilometres of the stage along Blackpool Promenade, where conditions were deemed unsafe by ourselves as organisers, hence the regrettable decision to cancel the stage.

“I would like to thank the teams and riders for their assistance today, and apologise to the many spectators out on the route who have missed out on the opportunity to see The Tour of Britain, but we hope that they will understand the reasons behind our decision.”

Cavendish, who won yesterday's first stage in Scotland, said: "The wind is too bad to race and that is really disappointing as it would have been a good stage for us.

"It is nice to see so many people about.

"I have been to Kendal on trips a few times and it is very close to the Isle of Man so it is a shame about the weather conditions.

"But in extreme conditions you have to look at the riders' safety."

The first stage, from Peebles to Dumfries, saw top cyclist Jens Voigt abandon the tour and Team Sky rider Steve Cummings coming off his bike in treacherous weather.

Cummings said: "It is frustrating to have to cancel as we just want to race but you have to put safety first.

"The first stage saw pretty bad conditions but the race is really open and we want one of the Sky riders to win the race.

"The people of Kendal will see a bit of show though so it's not all bad."

The tour was due to travel from Kendal through Grayrigg, Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale, Melling, Wray, Claughton, Quernmore, Longridge, Broughton, Inskip, Singleton, Poulton-le-Fylde, Anchorsholme, Cleveleys and then into Blackpool.

Conditions are forecast to be significantly better tomorrow.