THE Prime Minister has hailed the Tour de Yorkshire as an opportunity to “show off the best of Britain.”

York Central Tory MP Julian Sturdy raised the event during Prime Minister's Questions yesterday.

Noting that the Tour over the bank holiday weekend had attracted a record number of spectators, he drew attention to the county’s hospitality and beautiful countryside, before inviting the Prime Minister to attend next year’s event.

Theresa May remarked on the high number of spectators turning out for the event and said this provided an opportunity to “show off the best of Britain”.

She went on to say she was delighted that Cycling Road World Championships would be coming to the region next September along with financial support from the government, before adding she was “always happy to visit Yorkshire”.

Mr Sturdy said later that this year’s Tour had coincided with official confirmation that Welcome to Yorkshire was in talks to host the start of the Vuelta a España, which was one of a trio of cycling’s Grand Tours.

"To attract the Vuelta will be a real coup for Yorkshire," he added.