THE Tour of Britain's two-stage visit to Cumbria this September is likely to provide a multi-million pound boost to the county's economy.

Stages five and six of this year's event will run entirely within Cumbria, the first time in the race's history a single county has hosted two stages.

Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said at a meeting of the authority that there were number of benefits to be expected locally as a result of the tour.

"The potential economic boost to Cumbria is tremendous," he said.

"In previous years, with just one stage, we saw 50,000 spectators and upwards of £5m for the local economy. The potential for hosting two stages can only be better, and will take visitors to more areas of our county.

"This race also encourages local people to get more active, and has encouraged more people to cycle in the past. After all the Lake District is one of the best places in the country to cycle, with people coming from all over to cycle on and off-road through our spectacular landscapes."

On Thursday, September 6, riders will race against the clock, cycling from Cockermouth to Whinlatter Visitor Centre in a team time trial.

The following day, riders will start outside Barrow Town Hall, heading out on a 170km long route through South Lakeland and Allerdale, culminating with a summit finish on Whinlatter.

2016 was the last time the Tour of Britain came through Cumbria. On that occasion, a stage of the race started in Carlisle and finished in Kendal having travelled through the heart of the Lake District, including passing packed crowds on 'The Struggle' to the summit of Kirkstone Pass. That stage attracted an estimated 175,000 spectators.