SELBY has announced plans to hold a cycling festival to coincide with the Tour de Yorkshire.

Stage two of the race on Saturday, May 2, will see the race start in Selby before heading out to Beverley, Wetwang, Norton , Stamford Bridge and finishing in York.

To mark the occasion, there will be three sites hosting different entertainment as part of the Selby Cycle Festival.

On the playing field near Morrisions there will be a big TV screen showing live footage of the race, with stalls and activities, including a climbing wall.

There will be music and storytelling at Selby Park and at Selby Leisure Centre there will be a field art installation – a gathering of people and bicycles creating an image of a swan for the expected news helicopters in the skies above.

Mary Weastell, chief executive of Selby District Council, said: “This is a major event in Selby, with significant visitor numbers expected and we are planning ahead to ensure it goes smoothly for everyone involved and is a huge success.

“This will help to showcase the area to the rest of the world and boost the economy not just in the short-term but in years to come as well.”

The council has announced plans for four 'park and stride' sites due to be opened on the day for drivers. They are Greencore Group at Barlby Rd, Selby YO8 5BJ, Selby College at Abbot's Road, Selby YO8 8AT, Selby High at Leeds Road, Selby, North Yorkshire YO8 4HT and Selby Civic Centre staff car park in Doncaster Road.

Other roads along the route around the town will be subject to the temporary rolling road closures for about 45 minutes to an hour at a time.

For more information visit http://www.selby.gov.uk/tour-de-yorkshire