THERE will be no sleeping-in on Tour de France day for parishioners in Cross Roads.

Members of St James’ Church plan to sleep in the church hall during the night before the cycle race comes through the village.

Church warden Peter Handley and his team will be up bright and early to prepare the church ready for an early 9am service.

The Grand Depart riders will race along Lees Lane past the church on Sunday (July 6), and the sponsors’ caravan is likely to pass through at the same time as the normal morning service.

The church moved the service to 9am so parishioners could watch the race.

Mr Handley said: “The idea grew, and now there will be seven or eight of us sleeping over and the church will be open from 9am.

“There will be a short family service and people can have refreshments and use the toilets.”

Mr Handley pointed out that the road outside the church would be closed at 6.30am on Sunday and would not reopen until after the race.

He added: “We can’t go anywhere until the race is over and the roads are cleared, so we will be at the church well into the afternoon.”