UNLIKE last year’s Tour de France, the Tour de Yorkshire will not be racing through the heart of Keighley.

However, the district will not miss out, with local villages and towns to the south, west and north of Keighley all forming part of the route on May 3.

The cyclists are due to pass through Oxenhope, Haworth, Goose Eye, Oakworth, Cross Hills, Kildwick and Silsden.

Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council chairman Cllr John Huxley said: “It’s a good thing for the village.

“It doesn’t have quite the same cachet as the Tour de France but we’re still looking forward to it. It’s another exciting event for Haworth and I really hope it works well.”

Gill Hill, of Friends of Haworth Central Park, said she and her colleagues hope to arrange a performance by Haworth Brass Band in the park on the afternoon of May 3.

Oxenhope Parish Council vice-chairman Cllr Tony Maw, said: “We’re pleased that an important event like this is coming through our area, even though we’re not anticipating it to be on the same scale as the Tour de France.”

Craven ward councillor Adrian Naylor said it was a pleasant surprise to learn that Silsden would again help host a major competitive bike race.

“It’s something I welcome, though it will be very different this time round and it’s a bit of a challenge understanding exactly what will be happening,” he said.

“There won’t be an accompanying caravan, so it will go by a lot faster than the Tour de France, but it’s still being eagerly anticipated.

“The Bell Square should be popular with spectators, because there is a chicane which will slow the riders and provide people with a good vantage point.”

Following the success of the church’s events during last July’s Grand Depart, Silsden Methodist Church will offer facilities for Tour de Yorkshire spectators.

Church spokesman Barbara Ayrton said: “The May 3 Sunday morning service will be an hour earlier than normal at 9.30am, and then the church will be open from 11am until late afternoon.

“The whole race will be shown live on our big screen. There will be drinks and food – including Yorkshire puddings – on offer, as well as a few stalls.

“Entry is free but donations to our chosen charities would be appreciated.”

Oakworth was not part of the Tour de France route last year, and Cllr Peter Corkindale, an Oakworth councillor on Keighley Town Council, said it may not have been a suitable location for that race. However, he said he was definitely looking forward to the Tour de Yorkshire.

“Oakworth seems a poor relation when it comes to Bronte Country, and this should hopefully put the beautiful areas around our village on the map,” he said.

“That could encourage more people to visit, because we’ve got some lovely walks and nice little pubs.”