THE prestigious Tour of Britain is being tipped to leave a ‘lasting legacy’ when it comes to Warrington in September.

The town will host a finish for one of the stages of the bike race following approval from the cabinet on Monday evening.

The event will take place between September 6 and September 13.

The finish line is planned to be located in the town centre close to the Town Hall.

Previously, the likes of Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish and Julian Alaphilippe have competed in the race.

The tour was last in Warrington in 2012 when it went through areas including Culcheth and Lymm.

Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden said the borough will welcome some of the best cyclists in the world and believes the event could help to ‘inspire a generation of young people’.

The council will enter into a contract with the Tour of Britain Ltd committing it to deliver the event in partnership with tour organisers Sweetspot, although the Tour of Britain Ltd would retain overall responsibility.

The proposed route is for stage five of the race.

Cllr Bowden told members that although hosting part of the tour will come at a cost to the Labour-run authority amid austerity, it will deliver major financial benefits to the town.

He says the ‘economic gearing is in excess of 20 to one’.

“I think this shows real ambition for Warrington, really putting Warrington on the map and showing our commitment to lifestyle choices, tackling congestion and dealing with health and wellbeing issues by making people active,” he added.

“This isn’t just a one-off, this is the starting point of a journey.”

Cllr Tony Higgins, cabinet member for leisure and community, believes it presents an opportunity to create a stronger offer in the town with a ‘lasting legacy’.

He said: “This will be an important event to prove Warrington is ready for business on every level.

“The interest the Tour of Britain brings to the towns and villages is well advertised, boosting its local economy by millions of pounds through hotel bookings, restaurant reservations and, most obviously, parking fees.”

Financial details were discussed in part two in private.