A HEADLINE sponsor has been secured for Skipton town centre cycle races.

The deal with internet company Boundless Networks means the £23,000 event will not have to be underwritten by Craven District Council.

It will be the second town centre cycle races event in Skipton, with this year's included as part of televised British Cycling's Elite Criterium Series.

Upper Wharfedale's David Hood, chairman of Leeds and Chorley based Boundless Networks Ltd, said: “Boundless Networks is delighted to sponsor and support the Skipton Cycle Races.

“Our wireless services cover Skipton and the surrounding Yorkshire and Lancashire areas, and we have many business and residential customers locally.

"It’s always good to give back to a local community and also to help promote cycling to a wider audience.”

Sharon Hudson, Craven District Council’s partnerships and communications manager, said last year's event had built on the legacy of the Tour de France Grand Depart in Craven.

"The feedback was very positive from cyclists and spectators alike," she added.

“It’s brilliant news that British Cycling have included the race as part of their elite series; the event should be even bigger and better this year.

“With the televised coverage, this will be an excellent opportunity to showcase Craven businesses and the town itself. Together with the Tour de Yorkshire stage finish in Settle on Friday [tomorrow], we are establishing Craven world-wide as a destination for cycling and tourism.”

About 3,000 spectators attended the town centre races last year, with 60 children taking part in fun races before the main event. Dozens of cyclists also seized the opportunity to ride the route before the elite cyclists started the race.

The proposed date for this year’s race is July 6, with races due to take place from 7pm to 9.30pm.

Skipton Town Council has agreed to support the event again, both financially and through staffing on the evening, and Skipton Town Partnership is also backing it. As in 2015, Craven District Council will also be appointing an event management company to help organise the project.

Craven councillors reluctantly agreed to underwrite the event by up to a further £10,000 last month, on top of the £5,000 already agreed by the council.