The long-awaited date for when one of the world's most famous cycling competitions will come to Cornwall for the first time has been revealed.

The Tour of Britain is the UK's answer to the Tour de France and sees some of the world's best cyclists competing against each other.

For the first time, the first stage of the 2020 competition will be in Cornwall, setting off from Penzance on Sunday, September 6.

The date of the stage has now been confirmed by the tour’s organisers, and will see 120 riders travelling on a 170km route through the Cornish countryside, ending in Bodmin.

The stage will also visit St Just, St Ives, Hayle, Camborne, Pool, Redruth, Falmouth, Penryn, Truro, Newquay, St Austell and the Eden Project, subject to final Tour of Britain approval next month.

It follows a successful bid by Cornwall Council, following an idea first raised in Helston by town councillor Dave Potter, now chair of the Cornwall Tour of Britain Stage Working Group.

The race, which will be officially launched in November, is expected to give a massive boost to Cornwall’s economy, with independent economic reports estimating that the race will generate more than £3million of extra spending within Cornwall over the stage. It is hoped that around 180,000 people will line the roads of Cornwall to watch.

The Tour of Britain stage will be the biggest ever sporting event to be hosted in Cornwall. It will be shown live on ITV4 and Eurosport as well as broadcast in 190 countries worldwide.

The Tour of Britain stage in Cornwall will also present an opportunity for national and local businesses to sponsor the event.

Councillor Bob Egerton, portfolio holder for planning and economy at Cornwall Council, said: “We are honoured and excited that Cornwall is hosting the first stage of Britain’s biggest cycling event.

“It will bring visitors into the Duchy, not only along the stage route, but across the rest of the Duchy and it will also help to enhance our profile both at home and abroad.

“We will also work to ensure we create a long term legacy from the event by raising the profile of cycling in Cornwall and motivating more people to cycle and lead healthier and active lives.”

Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain race director, said: “We are delighted announce the date of Cornwall hosting the Grand Depart 2020 stage. We are looking forward to bringing the race to Cornwall for the first time on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

“Working with Cornwall Council, British Cycling, the UCI and partners we look forward to making Cornwall the destination to be next September to see the world’s best cyclists in action.”