LATE preparations are underway to make sure this Sunday's passage of the Tour de Yorkshire through Keighley district gets the reception it deserves.

Stage Three of the Tour de Yorkshire 2017 starts in Bradford city centre at around 12.10pm and will then take in Silsden, Riddlesden, Keighley, Cross Roads, Haworth, Oxenhope and Denholme.

Immediately prior to the race there will be "the caravan", which is a publicity parade travelling ahead of the riders on the race route.

This spectacle will see brands travel ahead of the riders in a parade of decorated vehicles, handing out freebies and keepsakes.

Cycling fans will be able to get close to some of the legends of the sport, as they travel behind the caravan, meeting fans and posing for photographs.

Brian Robinson, the first Briton to win a stage of the Tour de France will be joined by Denise Burton-Cole, world-class rider and daughter of the legendary cyclist Beryl Burton and by sprinter, Malcolm Elliott, and Barry Hoban who won eight stages of the Tour de France between 1967 and 1975.

Leading cyclists are scheduled to arrive in Farnhill at 1.49pm, then Kildwick at 1.50pm, Silsden at 1.53pm, Cote de Silsden at 2pm, Riddlesden at 2.03pm, Keighley at 2.06pm, Cross Roads at 2.12pm, Haworth at 2.15pm, Cote de Haworth at 2.17pm, Oxenhope at 2.22pm, Leeming at 2.25pm, Cote de Leeming at 2.27pm and Denholme at 2.28pm.

A Bradford Council spokesman explained: "The race convoy will move through the district in a mobile road closure 'bubble' using a police outrider escort.

"The outriders may close roads for around 20 to 30 minutes at a time as the race progresses, this is dependent on the speed of the cyclists taking part in the race."

The following roads in the district will be closed on April 30: Skipton Road in Silsden will be closed at the junction of Woodside Road from 11am to 3pm; Holden Lane/Silsden Road in Riddlesden will be closed between Hawber Lane and Banks Lane from 10am to 3pm; the full length of Banks Lane/Granby Lane in Riddlesden will be closed from 10.30am to 3pm; the full length of Main Street/West Street/Changegate in Haworth will be closed from 11am to 3pm, and the B6141 Station Road/Denholme Road/Long Causeway in Oxenhope/Leeming will be closed along its full length from 11am to 3pm.

Bradford Council has warned that these times may change on the day due to conditions and the needs of the race.

Due to these closures delays are to be expected on the day, and people are advised to plan their journeys well in advance.

Phil Barker, Bradford's assistant director for sport and culture, said: “So the race can pass safely through the district and everyone has a great day watching this spectacular event in safety, we're asking people to plan ahead and have patience.

“The public's co-operation is really appreciated, and once the race has passed through we'll get things back to normal as soon as we can.”

Family-friendly fun activities will take place on the day in Victoria Park, Keighley, from 11am to 3pm, and from 10am to 2pm in Bradford's City Park, Lister Park and Saltaire's Roberts Park.

The free to attend event in Victoria Parks will feature a rodeo bull or surf simulator, cycling themed face painting, arts and crafts, and an under fives play area.

There will also be a bouncy castle, giant games, a climbing tower and bungee trampolines.

Bradford's City Park will host bands and street theatre to get the crowd fired-up for the main event,

People will be able to watch the race live on the big screen. There will also be a Made in Bradford market at the bottom of Darley Street with items on sale from local producers.

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway will operate a special timetable on April 30 to accommodate the race.