YORK’S Civic Party will welcome the York Concert Band to the Mansion House today before the band’s journey to Paris to play at the end of the Tour de France.

The band is to play in front of the Eiffel Tower as the riders pass over the finish line on the Champs-Elysees.

The band will be presented with a letter from the Lord Mayor of York and will pass on messages to the Mayor of Paris.

The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Ian Gillies said: “I am looking forward to welcoming the York Concert Band to the Mansion House.The Tour de France coming to our city captivated everyone and I hope the band enjoy their trip to Paris and what promises to be an exciting climax to this year’s Tour de France.”