A VIDEO is building excitement before the countries biggest cycling event comes to the region.

With just six weeks go before the OVO Energy Tour of Britain begins, the video shows a preview of the Cotswolds leg of the race on Saturday September 9.

Riders taking part in Stage 7 of the Tour will enter the Cotswolds via Charlbury and Shipton-Under-Wychwood, continuing to Bourton, Stow, and Moreton.

They will then head towards Winchcombe and Cleeve Hill before finishing along the Promenade in Cheltenham town centre.

Cotswolds Tourism working with local councils has engaged PinPointMedia to create a video ahead of the route.

Henry Staelens of PinPointMedia said: "The creative concept behind the film was to convey how all different levels of cyclists can enjoy the sport and how beautiful the Cotswolds is to visit - it wasn't hard to make it look picturesque.

"Using a fantastic local musician such as Huw Eddy and his band tied it all together and gave it a real 'party' atmosphere.

"The end result conveys a real buzz of expectation as the OVO Energy Tour approaches.”

Sally Graff of Cotswolds Tourism added: "The towns and villages across the Cotswolds are amazingly photogenic and provide a magnificent backdrop for promoting the OVO Energy Tour - and also the visitor experience generally.

"I would like to thank all the local cycling clubs who participated in the making of the video, including those from North Cotswolds, Charlbury, Winchcombe and Cheltenham, as well as the professional Bike Channel Canyon team.

"Viewers will see all age groups enjoying the experience of riding conventional bikes, electric models, tandems, sit down bikes, and Bainton rental bikes.”

One of the riders involved was Jim Davies of Winchcombe Cycle Club who commented: “We were delighted to assist Cotswolds Tourism with this film with riders cycling on Cleeve Hill and in the town of Winchcombe.

"We will be ensuring we promote the film and are delighted to be welcoming back the professional riders to the town.”