BUSINESSES are getting involved when one of the biggest cycling events in Britain comes to the region.

The OVO Energy Tour of Britain gets underway in just over six weeks time and the Cotswolds tourism team, town and parish councils and visitor information centres have been working with businesses to get involved.

The tour passes through the Cotswolds on Saturday September 9 and Moreton will host an Eisberg sprint stage.

Additionally, Bourton-on-the-Hill will be a designated Skoda King of the Mountain point.

This follows previous news that Bourton-on-the-Water will host an Eisberg wine sprint stage.

Batsford Arboretum in Moreton will be offering additional parking and encouraging cycling fans to visit.

Stuart Priest, director of operations at Batsford Arboretum, said: "Knowing we are ideally situated on the route, we have made early plans to open the drive and car parks to aid visitors on the day.

"The small car park charge will be refunded if people visit and spend over £5 at the Arboretum that day.

"This will also allow us to raise money for our charity ‘Leaves for Learning’ project as well as encouraging the public to visit our attraction, including our excellent cafe.”

Media officer at Moreton Town Council Kit Havelock-Davies said: "We are hosting a splendid vintage bike ride on the same day that the cyclists come through the town, and a beer festival will also be taking place at the Moreton Cricket Club grounds."

Cllr Chris Hancock, at Cotswold District Council said: "It’s great to see that three of the main tourist locations along the route have been awarded the additional privilege of hosting specialist sections of the race.

"I am sure that the crowds will love seeing the riders fighting it out to the line for points in either the Skoda King of the Mountains challenge or the Eisberg sprint stages. It all adds to the excitement on the day.

“Each town or parish council along the route has been asked to provide the Cotswolds Tourism team with key spectator information to assist visitors wanting to watch the event."

Further promotion is planned over the coming weeks, including competitions with Tour of Britain, so get involved via social media @cotswoldsinfo Instagram The_Cotswolds #OVOToB and website www.cotswolds.com/tour

Full details of the Cotswold leg can be found at tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/stage-seven/