An events company with roots in Barnoldswick has been appointed to look after crowd control in Craven for the summer’s Grand Depart of the Tour de France.

Pennine Events, charged with event and crowd management for the whole of North Yorkshire, was chosen because of its previous experience with the Tour when it last came to the UK in 2007.

It will also carry out non-race risk assessments, provide expert advice and give an oversight into the overall planning and process before the race, which is due to pass through Craven on July 5 and 6.

Mark Sandamas, director of Pennine Events, working with Graham Jagger, said: “This is a very similar role to the one we played in 2007 for Kent County Council and for which we received a commendation from the Metropolitan Police.

“We are delighted that seven years after the Tour de France was last in England we are once again involved with the world’s biggest annual sporting event.”

Pennine Events has been appointed by North Yorkshire County Council, and will be working with Craven District Council and Skipton Town Council.

“Our company prides itself on producing quality events and when it comes to the Tour de France it is very important we produce plans that reflect the high profile event,” said Mr Sandamas, who is a keen cyclist and lives in Barnoldswick.

“We will be working very hard over the coming months to ensure that spectators are kept safe during the event and providing North Yorkshire Council with the experience that we gained working on the tour in 2007 as well as the hundreds of events that we have designed and run since.”

Pennine Events has grown as a company, it started in Barnoldswick more than 12 years ago and has a full time staff of eight and a pool of experienced freelancers including former police, council and legal workers.

Mr Jagger from Cononley added: “We pride ourselves on ensuring that our staff and freelancers are qualified for the jobs they are doing and when we choose them it is because they have the qualifications and experience to do it to the very high standard required.

“We have already been out on the route several times and before the end of the project, we will have looked at every potential hazard point, crowd congregation area and narrow lane.

“Our recommendations will then be drawn up to ensure that spectators, road users and general public are kept safe as the professional cyclists use our roads for this magnificent event.”

Pennine Events has also managed the Pendle Cycle Festival, Pedal for Scotland and Ride with Brad, with Tour de France winner and Olympic gold medallist Sir Bradley Wiggins.