SOUTH Lakeland District Council has welcomed the announcement that the OVO Energy Tour of Britain is to return to the area, visiting communities it has never passed through before.

Stage four of the eight-day race will finish in Kendal on Tuesday. September 10.

The 171.5km stage will start in Gateshead and cross the Pennines before heading through the Yorkshire Dales National Park, passing through Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale for the first time in its history before heading into Kendal to tackle the 500 metre, 11 per cent average climb to finish the race on Beast Banks.

This will be the fourth time the race has finished in Kendal and Cllr Robin Ashcroft, SLDC’s Portfolio Holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure, said: “I am thrilled that the OVO Energy Tour of Britain will once again be coming to South Lakeland, showcasing our beautiful district nationally and internationally.

“It will be fantastic to see first-hand some of cycling’s biggest names competing – bringing a welcome boost to the economy and also inspiring many to get on their bikes themselves.

"South Lakeland is a wonderful place to explore by bike, with routes and trails to suit every age and ability.

“Over 10,000 spectators saw the finish at Beast Banks when the town last hosted the race in 2016 and I am positive that support will be matched this year.”

ITV4 will screen live free-to-air coverage flag-to-flag of each stage in the UK, along with a nightly highlights programme of the best of the action.

Last year Cumbria hosted two stages of the event, with Cumbria County Council reporting  a £10.8m economic boost to the county, 240,000 spectators and 1.5 million UK TV viewers over the two days.