TROPHIES that will be held aloft by the winners of this year’s Tour de Yorkshire have been on a trip around the district.

The ‘silverware’ for the men’s and women’s races stopped-off at various locations, including the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (K&WVR) and the Black Bull pub at the top of iconic Haworth Main Street.

Both the Worth Valley and South Craven feature in the fourth stage of the internationally-acclaimed cycle race, on May 6.

The section will cover 189.5 kilometres from Halifax to Leeds and includes Oxenhope, Haworth, Oakworth and the Cote de Goose Eye, plus Sutton, Glusburn and Skipton.

Tom Ruddock, marketing and publicity assistant at the K&WVR, said he was delighted the event was coming to Bronte Country.

He added: “We will be running steam trains up and down the valley to make sure spectators get the best views of the prestigious race.

“This will be an excellent warm-up for our eight-day 50th-anniversary gala in June.”

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment, sport and culture, said the trophy tour was a welcome part of the build-up to the race.

She added: “It’s really exciting that the Tour de Yorkshire is coming to the district for two days this year.

“Taking the trophies the winners will compete for on a tour of the district continued to build on that excitement.”

And as part of the celebratory countdown to the event, a competition has been launched honouring communities which go all out with their decorations to welcome the Tour.

The ‘best dressed’ contest will give awards to locations with the most spectacular and eye-catching displays.

Previous races have been celebrated with everything from spotted houses and dyed sheep to floral displays and handmade bunting.

After this year’s race, the top few entries in each of four best-dressed categories will be shortlisted and the eventual victors will be decided by a public vote on twitter, @letouryorkshire.

Each category winner will receive a commemorative plaque.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “Every year I’m blown away by the creativity of people who pull out all the stops to decorate their home towns and villages to celebrate the Tour de Yorkshire – which is so much more than a bike race, it’s about bringing people together.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the way our communities make sure their towns and villages look their very best as we showcase our glorious county to the world.

“This competition is inspired by that passion and dedication, which must be recognised and rewarded.

“I can’t wait to see all the wacky and wonderful ideas people will come up with this year.”

For more details and to enter, visit letouryorkshire.com/bestdressed.