CLITHEROE’S famous sausage shop has got into the cycling spirit in preparation for the Aviva Tour of Britain.

Cowman’s Famous Sausage Shop in Castle Street has created a bicycle out of sausage meat commemorating Stage two of the tour, which is set to start outside their shop.

Paul Howard, 35, co-owner of the shop said the town had completely come alive with the tour.

He said: “We did it to help promote the Tour of Britain in Clitheroe.

“We used mixed herbs and meat from Lancashire to build the bicycle.

“To get the Aviva colours, we added black, blue and yellow dyes to the meat and then fed the meat through its casing.”

Tens of thousands of spectators look to descend on Ribble Valley and Pendle for the event on Monday, September 7, which will see the world’s top cyclists ride from Clitheroe to Colne on the 100 mile route.

Mr Howard said: “We are part of the Clitheroe Chamber of Trade. All the businesses in the chamber met together and discussed how to promote the tour in their businesses.”

Cowman’s also created a Tour of Britain wheel, made from a secret recipe of Lancashire herbs and spices, black pudding and mustard.

The shop has been on Castle Street for over 120 years and was taken over by the Cowman family in the late 1950s and has been owned by Mr Howard and Nick Gell for 15 years.

Sue Knox, mayor of Clitheroe said she couldn’t wait to see the creation.

She said: “We are very lucky to have a fantastic sausage shop in Clitheroe and I admire their creativity and enthusiasm.

The tour has been great in getting everyone together and to see the community get into the cycling spirit.

“I would like to thank the council, all the volunteers and the officers who are helping out at the tour and to all the residents who have been involved.”

The wheel and Bicycle will be on display from Monday September 7, for more information contact Cowman’s Famous Sausage Shop on 01200 423842.