SCHOOLS are doing their part to ensure a memorable and spectacular day when the Aviva Tour of Britain passes through the area in September.

One primary school in Longridge is erecting a huge, colourful mural to adorn an exterior school wall while another pupil at a Brierfield school has won a competition to design the trophy which will be presented to the winner of the second stage, which ends in Colne on September 7.

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Community artist Keith Parkinson spent yesterday working with pupils at Barnacre Road Primary School, Longridge on a mural with a cycling theme that will be displayed on a gable end next to the school when the Tour passes the school.

The race passes through both Ribble Valley and Pendle from Clitheroe to Colne taking in the Nick o’ Pendle, Dunsop Bridge at the exact centre of the UK, Slaidburn in the Forest of Bowland, before making its way though Barnoldswick to Colne.

Pupils at the school will watch the event in fancy dress next to the mural to the sound of the school’s drum band.

Artist Mr Parkinson, 56, helped the pupils with the 8ft by 4ft mural yesterday.

He said: “The pupils were so enthusiastic and full of ideas.

“We have depicted the nearby fells, the town of Longridge and of course the cyclists.”

More than 160 youngsters in Pendle entered a competition to design the trophy which will be awarded to the winner of the stage The Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Nawaz Ahmed, judged the designs and the winner was Haaris Waheed, 11, from Pendle Primary Academy in Brierfield.

Councillor Ahmed said: “I was looking for a design which really represents the area as well as the Tour of Britain itself. Haaris’ design includes Pendle Hill, witches on bikes and the colours of the Union Jack.

“Haaris has been invited to come along to the race finish and personally present the trophy to the race victor.

“That is a really special prize.”

Schools which took part included Wheatley Lane Primary School in Fence, Pendle Primary Academy in Brierfield and Kelbrook Primary School.

Pendle Council is urging schools to support the Tour when it comes in September. Ideas include creating a human bicycle in the school yard which would look good from an aerial view when the television cameras are filming from above.