LANCASHIRE could cash in on the back of the Tour de France, tourism bosses have said.

The Tour de France Grand Depart may have centred on Yorkshire over the weekend, but the benefits have been felt across the border in East Lancashire too.

Now bosses at Marketing Lancashire plan to launch a new website to promote cycling tourism in the county, which should be live in September.

Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: “Marketing Lancashire promotes cycling across a wide range of platforms including visitlancashire.com and has been working with a number of agencies across Lancashire, including British Cycling, on building a legacy around the excitement of the Grand Depart.

“Our hotels and attractions close to the Grand Depart routes certainly enjoyed the benefits of this major event, as did many Lancastrians who chose to go and support it.

“Lancashire is arguably the ‘cycling capital’ of England with many miles of quiet roads and tracks passing through beautiful countryside and it has long been a favourite destination for leisure and professional cyclists including Olympic gold medallists, Sir Bradley Wiggins and Steven Burke.

“There has been, and continues to be, significant investment in cycling in Lancashire whether in infrastructure, training, awareness, coaching or clubs as well as a variety of different types of publicity, programmes and events.

“Cycling is one of Lancashire’s strongest assets and the Grand Depart has shown the world what wonderful and diverse terrain is on offer.”

Mark Turner, programme and operations director of Pennine Prospects, said: “Quite a lot of people over the weekend came to places such as Earby and Colne and cycled up to the route towards Skipton and Grassington.

“People who didn’t know that part of the world have seen what fantastic countryside it is for cycling and that could bring a real boost in terms of cycle tourism.

“The weather was good and so the scenery looked fantastic, which is a brilliant advert for the whole area, and places alongside Yorkshire should benefit from that.”