COMMUNITY groups along this year’s Tour of Britain routes are being urged to come forward and get involved with events supporting the South-West stages.

The regional stages, which start in Minehead on September 14, are again being co-hosted by Somerset County Council and Devon County Council.

And to build upon the success of last year’s South-West stages, which attracted more than 230,000 spectators and generated almost £6million for the region’s economy, race organisers are looking for even more people to get involved with organising events and activities in the build-up to the race passing through their communities.

Graham Bagley, Somerset County Council’s Tour of Britain manager, said: “Minehead and Glastonbury are already well on the way to planning a programme of Tour of Britain-related activities but it’s not just about the start and finish locations.

“We want places all along the route to get involved – it’s a great opportunity to put your community on the map.”

For more information, help or advice on how to get involved or organise community events relating to this year’s Tour of Britain South-West stages, e-mail gbagley@somerset.gov.uk or call 01823-356093.

Two stages of the race will be hosted in the region with the first starting at the West Somerset Railway Station in Minehead.

The route will take in several idyllic countryside locations, including Huish Champflower, Wiveliscombe and Wellington, and will finish in Teignmouth, Devon, on Tuesday, September 14. The 171km route will be the fourth stage of the eight-day tour.