A EUROPEAN sporting event is coming to Leigh this summer.

Astley & Tyldesley Cycling Club's bid to host the 2021 European Cycle Speedway Championships for the first time has been successful.

The International Cycle Speedway Federation has confirmed the decision, with the event to take place at Gin Pit over three days.

This will be the first time that the Championships have been held in the North and Scotland Region, a factor which proved to be decisive in allocating the venue over an application made by the Midlands Region.

"The International Cycle Speedway Federation (ICSF) is pleased to announce that the 2021 European Cycle Speedway Championships will be hosted by the Astley & Tyldesley club, based in Greater Manchester, England," reads a statement.

"The decision was made last night by British Cycling's Cycle Speedway Commission and ratified this morning by British Cycling's Executive Team.

"The Championships will take place over three days, from Friday 30th July to Sunday 1st August inclusive."

Qualifying rounds on the Friday of the championships will also be held at Sheffield, should the number of entries warrant the need for a second location.

The European Championships have been held on a bi-annual basis since the first one was held in the Netherlands in 1994.