ALL of the Sid Valley community is being encouraged to take part in celebrations during the Tour of Britain when it arrives on our doorstep later this year. The cycle race will pass through Sidbury and Sidford and up to Trow Hill before going down to Sea

ALL of the Sid Valley community is being encouraged to take part in celebrations during the Tour of Britain when it arrives on our doorstep later this year.

The cycle race will pass through Sidbury and Sidford and up to Trow Hill before going down to Seaton in the second race route in September.

And as an added bonus one of the special stages of the race will take place from Sidford to the top of Trow Hill, where racers will be timed and the first one to the top will be given extra points.

At a meeting on Monday Members of Sidmouth Town Council's Tourism and Publicity Committee discussed what could be done to encourage visitors to the area during the race as well as involving the whole community.

Councillor Stuart Hughes said it was a "golden opportunity" for the Sid Valley to be put on the map and it was essential that as many people as possible are seen to be taking part.

Committee members agreed to decorate the race route with bunting and also discussed transporting spectators to Salcombe Hill on the Hopper Bus.

Local schools will also be encouraged to take part.

Councillor Mary Jolly said: "There will be a terrific amount of media coverage- it is a terrific opportunity to promote it."

And Councillor Ann Liverton suggested contacting all of the businesses on the route to make sure they benefit from race footfall and also to "maximise the event".