THE Tour de Yorkshire cycle race would have been a chance to 'showcase' the region says the leader of Craven District Council.

Responding to the cancellation of next year's event for the third time, Councillor Richard Foster said it was disappointing, but he hoped the council could work with organisers, Welcome to Yorkshire, to put on a county-wide festival and other events to promote Craven.

He said: “ We are naturally disappointed that the Tour de Yorkshire will not be going ahead next year.

"We were really looking forward to showcasing our region and putting on a warm welcome for cyclists and spectators.

"On the other hand knowing now the race has been cancelled means that no resources have been unnecessarily wasted in planning for the event. Although there is no race next year we look forward to working with Welcome to Yorkshire on other events to promote our fantastic region and await with interest details of the proposed Yorkshire Festival.”

Craven District Council had agreed to underwrite the four-day event, which would have seen one of the stages start in Skipton, by up to £100,000.