Bradford on Avon is hoping to replicate similar scenes to that of this year’s Tour de France when it plays host the UK’s biggest professional cycling race in September.

The Tour of Britain will see the world’s elite cyclists race down Market Street and over the Town Bridge, before heading onto Trowbridge on September 12.

Cycling enthusiasts John Potter, the mayor of Bradford on Avon, and Inspector Chris Chammings were influential in making sure the route came through the centre of the town and onto Trowbridge, rather than skirting round the edges.

The Tour de France attracted 2.5million people to the streets of Yorkshire at the weekend and they hope the Tour of Britain will have the same effect.

Insp Chammings, who is based at Trowbridge Police Station, said: “We want to encourage as many people as we can to get some of the scenes that have been seen around the Tour de France in Bradford on Avon.

“I have had two meetings with John about what the town council is planning on doing for the event and passing any contacts I have from the cycling world and Tour of Britain onto him.

“We are trying to get the schools, local bike shops and as many people as we can involved. It should be a fabulous celebration.”

The inspector will be in the town on the day and there will be officers in Bradford and Trowbridge as well as a number of marshals provided by Wiltshire Council.

Stage sixth of the eight-stage event, which was won last year by Olympic hero Sir Bradley Wiggins, will be over 200km from Bath to Hemel Hempstead.

It will take in Winsley, Bradford and Trowbridge, before heading off through Seend, Devizes, Chirton, Pewsey and Burbage.