THE ten-year-old son of charity fundraiser Jane Tomlinson smiled bravely yesterday as he helped lead off a stage of Britain's premier cycle race as a tribute to his mother, who died last week.

Steven Tomlinson cycled on a tandem behind his father, Mike, at the head of the Tour of Britain, as it began its fourth stage in South Yorkshire.

He was joined by one of his sisters, Rebecca, 19, other family members and some of the cyclists who accompanied the 43-year-old mother-of-three on many of the challenges that made her famous.

They were cheered by the crowds who had gathered at Rother Valley Country Park, near Rotherham, for the event and rode the first mile of the stage through the parkland ahead of the peloton.

Steven smiled at the cycling fans who had gathered to wave off the stage, which was taking place a day before Mrs Tomlinson's funeral.

Mrs Tomlinson lost her seven-year battle with terminal cancer last week.

She defied doctors, who gave her only months to live after her diagnosis in 2000, and raised more than £1.75m through endurance events.

Her funeral will be held today at the Cathedral Church of St Anne, in Leeds.