YOUNGSTERS in Pendle have been putting their wheels in motion as they prepare to form a human bicycle to celebrate the Aviva Tour of Britain passing near their school.

Pupils at Coates Lane Primary School in Barnoldswick created the human sculpture on Friday as they gear up for the event flying past on September 7.

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Nicola Boon, acting deputy head teacher, said the children were now getting excited to see the world’s cycling stars passing minutes away from the front gates of their school.

She said: “Having watched the Tour de Yorkshire last year I’m so excited about the Tour of Britain coming to Pendle.

“We’re only a five minute walk away from the route so we’re planning to take at least three classes to watch the cyclists fly past.

“And the pupils will be waving flags that they’ve made to cheer on the cyclists.”

Around 90 pupils and six teachers will create the bicycle sculpture on the field next to the school.

Stage two of the tour, which is called Ribble Valley and Pendle, Clitheroe to Colne, starts beneath the iconic Clitheroe Castle and comes to an exciting climax in Colne town centre as the cyclists battle to cross the finish line.

Pendle Council is urging schools across the borough to get behind the tour and give the cyclists a warm welcome.

Councillor David Whipp, chairman of Pendle’s Tour of Britain working group, said: “It’s fantastic that Coates Lane Primary School is taking on this challenge.

“It’s a great example of the fun activities connected with the race.

“It will be filmed from a helicopter and broadcast around the world.”

Ideas suggested by the council’s working group including lining the route and waving a flag, urging the cyclists on, creating a fun and friendly welcome for the riders if the route passes by, decorating the outside of schools with bunting, flags and posters and creating a human bicycle in the school yard which would look good from an aerial view when the television cameras are filming from above.

Thousands across Pennine Lancashire are expected to line the route.