SCHOOL children across York are being offered the chance to win tickets for York's Grand Départy Concert and the opportunity to go back stage to meet X Factor favourites Union J.

The competition has been organised to coincide with Bike Week 2014, which runs from June 14 to 22, and the idea is to persuade as many youngsters to cycle to and from school as possible.

The overall winner will be the class with the most children who get on their bikes during the week which will be worked out as a percentage to ensure every class has an equal chance of winning.

Every child in the winning class will receive a free ticket to the concert, at Huntington Stadium on Friday 4 July, and get to go backstage before to meet members of the British boy band Union J. The winning class will also be presented with a certificate on stage in recognition of their achievement.

Cllr Sonja Crisp, cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “We want to see as many schools as possible taking part in this year's Bike Week. It's a fantastic prize on offer and a wonderful opportunity for local children to be part of York's Grand Départy celebrations."

The diverse line-up for the Grand Départy Concert also includes Russell Watson, Rough Copy, Kian Egan of Westlife-fame, York-based singer songwriter Alistair Griffin, Ollie Marland, The Loveable Rogues, Altered Images, Brother Beyond, The Blow Monkeys and The Overtones.

The concert is part of a weekend of Grand Départy celebrations from July 4 to 6.

Tickets are £29.50 for general admission, £35 for VIP seated or £100 for a family ticket (for four people) are on sale from www.ticketline.co.uk

Events will be taking place across the city, including street theatre and live music.

The council's three Spectator Hubs are at Monk Stray, the Designer Outlet and Millennium Bridge, where there will be family entertainment, big screens, refreshments, merchandise and much more.