Northumberland braced for cycling fever as Tour of Britain rolls into the region

The eyes of the world will be on Northumberland on Monday as the eagerly anticipated OVO Energy Tour of Britain returns to the county.

The streets are expected to be decked in red and yellow, the colour of the Northumberland flag, as thousands of spectators gather to catch a glimpse of the cyclists.

Northumberland will host an entire stage of the race, starting in the heart of Kielder before a dramatic finish on the coast of Blyth.

And the excitement is building as the world’s elite riders get ready to whizz through 28 towns and villages, covering a total of 211kms.

Northumberland County Council leader Peter Jackson said: “The race will travel through some fantastic scenery and pass iconic landmarks including Bamburgh Castle and Alnwick Castle.

“The tour is to be broadcast in over 120 countries and we look forward to providing a warm welcome to the competitors and supporters and showcasing our beautiful county and communities to a huge global audience.”