WORLD-famous Haworth Main Street and the South Craven area will feature in next year's Tour de Yorkshire.

They are included in the route for stage four of the renowned cycle race, in May.

The fourth and final 'Yorkshire Terrier' stage, covering 189.5 kilometres from Halifax to Leeds, takes place on May 6.

The route locally will also feature Oxenhope, Oakworth and the Cote de Goose Eye.

Details of all four stages were unveiled at a press conference in Halifax today.

Star riders at the Piece Hall event included Mark Cavendish, winner of 30 Tour de France stages and numerous other accolades.

The race – being held from May 3, and featuring a fourth stage for the first time – will take in 169 villages, towns and cities.

Stage one, labelled Arts and Culture, will follow a 182km route from Beverley to Doncaster.

The second stage, Yorkshire Heritage, starts at Barnsley and finishes 149km later at Ilkley.

On day three, Market Towns, there is a 184km ride from Richmond to Scarborough.

The local leg on the last day will see the cyclists head up Haworth Main Street, drop into Goose Eye for the next punishing ascent and then cross into Sutton, Glusburn and Cross Hills as they make their way to Skipton.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, headed-up the route announcement with the Amaury Sport Organisation's Tour de France director, Christian Prudhomme.

"It was a proud moment unveiling the full route," said Sir Gary.

"Riders will relish the challenge it poses and we'll be treated to a tremendous fourth edition of the event.

"Last year's race attracted 2.2 million spectators and generated £64 million for the local economy, and now that is has been extended from three to four days, the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire promises to be the biggest and best yet."

Mr Prudhomme paid tribute to the work of the organising team.

"Gary and his team have done a fantastic job and I am excited by what next year's route has in store," he said.

"I enjoy coming to Yorkshire and the county always puts on a tremendous show.

"The way Yorkshire supports cycling is incredible and I look forward to seeing more bikes, banners and bunting in 2018."

Julie Harrington, chief executive of British Cycling, said the organisation was proud to give its support.

She added: "Britain's appetite for seeing world-class cycle sport has never been healthier and the people of Yorkshire can make a strong claim to be among the country's biggest bike lovers."

The event will also once again feature an Asda Tour de Yorkshire women's race.

Following its huge success over the past three years, it is being expanded to two days – May 3 and 4.

The stages will start each morning and follow the last 132km and 121.5km respectively of the men's routes.

Sir Gary added: "We are proud of our commitment to promoting women's cycling and are delighted to see the Asda Tour de Yorkshire women's race doubling in size.

"Expanding the race to two days means we can offer our most varied route yet, which will challenge the world's best riders.

"Both stages will feature the same sprints and climbs as the men."

And there will be a Maserati Tour de Yorkshire Ride sportive, back for a fourth successive year.

It will start and finish in Leeds on May 6.

The event's chosen charity will be the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

For more details, visit letouryorkshire.com.