CREWE residents are being invited to decorate bikes to be used to line the route of the Tour of Britain.

The invitation comes as towns gear up to host events and activities for the arrival of the event.

Preparations are well under way across South Cheshire to welcome Tour of Britain cyclists as they take on Stage Three, with a host of activities planned for spectators.

The cycle race heads to Cheshire for Stage Three on Tuesday, September 6, and will see riders cycling 111 miles between Congleton and Tatton Park, setting off at 11am and finishing at 3.30pm. It is the only stage being held completely within one county.

Roads on the route will be closed using a rolling road block for around 40 minutes, both 20 minutes before and after the cyclists are expected to pass through each town.

In South Cheshire, the tour will take in Alsager, Crewe, Willaston, Nantwich, Church Minshull, Middlewich, Elworth, Sandbach, Holmes Chapel and Cranage.

In Crewe, the race will enter the town along the B5077 at about 11.45am before joining the A534 Crewe Road/Nantwich Road and heading into Willaston.

The Tour will then head along the B5338 and onto the B5074 Barony Road before entering Church Minshull just after 12pm, where it will pick up the A530 Middlewich Road and head into Wimboldsley.

Riders will enter Middlewich at about 12.15pm via the A530 and A54 St Michael’s Way, turning onto Leadsmithy Street and heading toward Moston.

The Tour will reach Holmes Chapel at about 12.45pm and head through Cranage along the A50 Knutsford Road.

In Crewe, the public, businesses and groups are being invited to decorate bikes, which will line the route between Nantwich Road and Crewe Green.

Anyone interested in the initiative, being run by A Vision for Crewe, can email Hannah Marr on communityplan@crewetowncouncil.gov.uk or call 07947 180150.

In Middlewich, a Signal Radio roadshow will take place at the Bull Ring from 11am to 3pm. The best places to watch the race will be the Bull Ring, outside the church and adjacent to the cemetery, and on St Michael’s Way.

In Holmes Chapel’s ‘Fanzone’ will boast a variety of activities, beginning at 11am and running until 2pm.

There’ll be charity stalls, face painters, cycling challenges, entertainment and music from Dane Sound Radio.

Spectators can also watch the race on several large screens and both churches in the village will be providing refreshments.

Cheshire East Council is inviting residents to donate unwanted bikes – which must be fully intact with no missing parts - that can be spray-painted and distributed across Cheshire in promotion for the tour.

Anyone who has a bike they wish to donate can contact Melissa Morris at Melissa.morris@cheshireeast.gov.uk