SELBY is buzzing as residents and businesses prepare to host the start of Stage Two of the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire.

Cycling legend Sir Bradley Wiggins, sprinting superstar Marcel Kittel and Yorkshireman Ben Swift with the rest of the professional peloton will ride a figure of eight course through the town on Saturday as they set off for York via Beverley and the Yorkshire Wolds.

By the time they start their ride outside Selby Abbey at 11.20am, the all-day Selby Cycle Festival will be well underway with a host of events and activities around the town.

It runs from 10am to 6pm and will include live music, a tug of war, a climbing wall, field art, a best decorated bike competition, as well as plenty of Yorkshire food and a big screen to watch the rest of the stage.

Mary Weastell, chief executive of Selby District Council said: “Around Selby there is a real buzz for the Tour de Yorkshire. The Selby district residents and businesses are really getting into the Tour de Yorkshire spirit and have been dressing up their properties and business premises.

“We look forward to celebrating the arrival of the landmark occasion to our wonderful town and welcoming visitors to our district.

"Much time and preparation has gone into organising the Tour de Yorkshire and Selby Cycle Festival. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our wonderful town to the world. Hosting the race will provide us with major opportunities to boost our local economy and welcome visitors to the area for years to come.”

She urged everyone coming to watch the race and take part in the festival to plan ahead and check via the council and North Yorkshire County Council's website.

The three festival sites will be at The Bowling Green in Portholme Road, which will host many family activities including the Big Screen, Selby Park which will be the music venue where several local acts will perform and Selby Leisure Centre, home of the field art and which will also provide cycle park facilities.