Tour of Britain boost to East Anglia

12 May 2011, 05:00

The Tour of Britain will be coming through Norfolk and Suffolk this summer and Heart's being told how important it is for the two counties.

The race will head through the region on one of its last stages on Saturday September the 17th, starting off in Bury st Edmonds and ending on the Sandringham estate. The race finishes the next day in London.

Last year the event drew 250,000 people to the roadside in the two counties and brought more than £7.5 million to the local economy.

Jane Storey, Suffolk County Council's Acting Leader, said: 'We're thrilled to be bringing the tour of Britain back to Suffolk.

'The spectacle of the Tour working its way through Suffolk's wonderful landscapes will showcase our county to visitors from across the UK and around the world. Last year the Tour added to Suffolk's tourism industry by bringing in millions of pounds of extra trade. We plan to build on that this year.'

Derrick Murphy, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said 'Excitement for the return of the biggest sporting event this county has ever seen has already begun.

'As was the case last September, Tour of Britain day in both Norfolk and Suffolk will allow local communities to put on events and come together in large numbers to enjoy the race.'

The Suffolk and Norfolk stage has been chosen as the first Tour ride, where 2000 cyclists register to take part in a ride along the route. Their registration fees this year will go to the Prostate Cancer Charity.