TOP cyclists will tear through the streets of Worcestershire on September 10 as part of the Tour of Britain.

It's been revealed the major cycling event will hit the roads in Evesham, Pershore and Broadway on Wednesday, September 10, three days into the eight day ride.

Riders will take over the streets in what is hoped will become an event to rival the Olympic Torch Relay.

Now local organisers of the event are hoping people in the towns and villages will embrace the event and run other activities on the day.

Jem Teal, community development manager at Wychavon, said the council would provide a core offering of events on the day and try to replicate what they did with the torch relay.

But he added they hoped people would get involved locally as well and had set up meetings in Evesham, Pershore and Broadway to give people the chance to share their ideas.

The meetings will take place on Tuesday, May 27, at Evesham town hall from 5pm, at Broadway's Lifford Hall the following day at 5pm and in Pershore at the Civic Centre from 5pm on Monday, June 2.

It is the first time since 2008 that Worcestershire has been selected to feature in the race and exact details of the routes will be announced around June time.

The arrival of the national event in Worcestershire coincides with the first ever Evesham Cyclefest.

This cycling celebration is taking place over three weekends beginning on Saturday, September 6 and running to Sunday, September 21, in support of the Bell Tower Appeal.

The first event is called, the BIG one, a sponsored ride of about 270 miles in three days beginning on Saturday, September 6.

Sir Peter Luff, MP, will start the ride at the Evesham Bell Tower and it will head to Big Ben in London before returning to the Vale.

The idea of the Cyclefest was the vision of John Webster, who along with fellow cyclist, Malcolm Benning, completed a sponsored cycle ride for the Bell Tower Appeal from Evesham to the Bell Tower in Beccles.

Sue Ablett, chairman of the Bell Tower Appeal committee, said: "This is a really exciting event and a chance for serious cyclists to help raise funds and put Evesham firmly on the map as a cycling hub.

"We have already had some interest, but would be delighted to hear from anyone else who may be interested in joining the ride.

"Already we have at least one person fully signed up to compete and that is Evesham’s new Mayor, Cllr Charlie Homer."

The entry fee is £25 and entrants must raise at least £250.

Everyone taking part will need to book their own accommodation.

To find out more contact Sue Ablett, email sueablett1@btinternet.com or call 0787 1285606.