EXCITEMENT is building in West Oxfordshire ahead of the arrival of the Tour of Britain next month.

A special event was held in Charlbury highlighting the benefits the race, claimed to be the country's biggest professional cycling competition, will bring to the area when it passes through on September 9

As well as an impressive range of modern bikes, guests and visitors were able to view a penny farthing and other veteran machines while posing for pictures with an old coach provided by the Oxford Bus Museum

Sally Graff, tourism and business support manager at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Everyone is so enthusiastic about the race coming to West Oxfordshire and we expect visitor numbers in Charlbury to rise significantly which will also boost local businesses and hopefully leave a lasting legacy.”

More than 120 top cyclists will pass through towns and villages including Wootton, Charlbury and the Wychwoods before continuing through the Cotswolds, eventually finishing in Cheltenham town centre.

As part of the Charlbury celebrations, there will be big screen coverage of the race in the Memorial Hall, Charlbury Museum will feature a special cycling display, while mechanic Dr Bike will offer a free cycle check and maintenance help. There will also be a special ‘Ride the Tour’ event for youngsters.

The lead cars are scheduled to arrive in Charlbury from around 12.49pm on race day with the riders following shortly after and going through to Milton-under-Wychwood from around 1.07pm onwards.

Cllr Jeanette Baker, cabinet member for leisure and health at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “This will be an exciting event to watch but we are also keen to promote the health benefits of cycling to local residents and schools.”

The route will see cyclists ride from Edinburgh and Cardiff over a period of eight days.On day 7 riders tackle 186km from Hemel Hempstead to Cheltenham.Their route will take them north of Oxford near Islip, above Kidlington and across to Charlbury.