THE arrival of the Tour de France in neighbouring West Yorkshire could bring a huge tourism boost for Burnley and Bacup, it has been claimed.

Riders from the world’s premier cycling race, including British favourite Chris Froome, will be descending on the South Pennines in July 2014 but the nearest it will come to East Lancashire is when a leg passes Cragg Vale, between Todmorden and Sowerby Bridge.

But the leaders of Pennine Prospects, the moorland regeneration agency are eager for businesses in the likes of Cliviger, Worsthorne and Bacup to benefit as thousands of cycling aficionados descend on the area.

Key meetings are planned in Burnley and Bacup to give tourism outlets the inside track on the tour. Already a tourism group has been formed in Todmorden, in a bid to maximise the tour’s potential.

Mark Turner, of Pennine Prospects, said: “These meetings will give local businesses and communities the chance to discuss the opportunities that the influx of millions of tourists, before, during and after the event, will bring to the area and the benefits of world-wide media coverage during the build-up and as the race is televised live to millions more around the world.

“There have been a number of meetings held already that have inspired people to get into the spirit of Le Tour. Some areas are organising French evenings and in Cragg Vale there’s going to be an attempt to make the world’s longest stretch of bunting.”

Because the race is only taking place a few miles from Burnley and Bacup, it is envisaged that the likes of hotels, bed and breakfasts, guest houses and camp-sites can cash in. The Bacup meeting has been scheduled for next Monday, July 1, at Futures Park, from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Pennine Prospects officials will meet Burnley Council representatives on the same day to finalise arrangements for a meeting in the town later in the month.