FINAL preparations to welcome thousands of visitors for a celebration for the Grand Depart have been taking place in Masham.

The town’s Le Grand Party festivities are expected to see more than 20,000 Masham residents and visitors lining the route – as well as watch the race on big screens - on the afternoon of Saturday, July 5.

Test runs of activities, including the installation of the screens, have been taking place, as the countdown to the Grand Depart nears its end.

The event is historic in more ways than one, as it brings together two of Yorkshire’s best known brewing families.

Masham’s T&R Theakston Ltd and Black Sheep Brewery are helping the market town celebrations, running joint cask ale bars for the first time.

A host of activities and entertainments are being staged in and around Masham. There will be three bars, selling beers from both dynasties.

Attractions include Le Grand Bar Un, located on The Avenue, Masham, with views of the route; a number of caterers including Cockburns of Bedale, Tasty Birds, and Truly Scrumptious; and bouncy castles and slides.

Masham has about 9,000 car parking spaces but roads will be closed from 9am.