SETTLE is to hosts the second Tour of Yorkshire, Welcome to Yorkshire has announced today.

The town will be the focus of either the start or finish on of the three days of the 2016 bike ride, thanks to a successful £170,000 bid by Craven district council.

Five other towns in Yorkshire – Otley, Beverley, Doncaster, Middlesbrough and Scarborough – will share the privilege.

The three-day men’s race will be held between April 29 and May 1. The women’s race will be held on April 30.

More details of the route are to be announced by the end of the year. It is expected to attract thousands of cyclist to the Yorkshire Dales and be broadcast globally.

Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive, Sir Gary Verity, said: "I’m delighted we are able to bring the 2016 race to all four corners of Yorkshire.

"It is testament to how much the county has taken the race to its heart that we have been oversubscribed for next year’s starts and finishes."

Craven District Council leader, Councillor Richard Foster, said: "We're delighted another area of Craven will now have the opportunity to play host to such an event.”

The Tour de France Grand Depart visited Skipton and surrounding areas in 2014, and the Tour of Britain also passed through the north of the district earlier this year.

North Yorkshire County Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “Now in its second year, the race will reach other parts of the county, such as those in the Craven district, as well as revisiting the beautiful east coast, which gave such a showcase to the event this year.”

Unlike the Tour de France, the Tour de Yorkshire race is managed by a rolling road closure, minimising the impact on residents and businesses.

The event could also include a festival held alongside the start and finish area, encouraging spectators to stay or come and watch the race on a big screen and take part in entertainment events.

Full details of the exact Tour de Yorkshire 2016 route will be released later this year.