A COMMUNITY festival that attracted elite international professional cyclists and over 10,000 visitors to Consett is going ahead once again.

Last year’s Consett Cycle Festival boosted the local economy by more than £1m, and this year organisers promise it is going to be even bigger.

It will take place on Sunday, May 31 and will be free for visitors and spectators.

Sponsored by Consett regeneration body Project Genesis Trust, last year’s event built on the nationally renowned Tour of the Reservoir by extending the usual course so that competitors started and finished in the town centre.

The trust’s chairman John O’Connor said: “We built a whole community festival around the cycling, and it was a massive hit with local people and professional cyclists.

“So we’ve decided to make this year’s festival even bigger and better, and we’re already planning a range of events built around the top-class cycling that everyone can enjoy.

“We’re now looking at ideas to make it another fun-packed event, with the elite races for men and women competitors on Sunday starting and finishing in the town centre.

“We’re also looking at races for young people, more stalls and live music and it will all be completely free.”

Last year’s festival brought a huge boost to the local economy with more than 1,000 cyclists, supporters and spectators coming into the town centre itself. Businesses from B&Bs to food outlets, pubs and shops all reaped the benefit.

Feedback from the professional cycling world was highly positive, with many enjoying the challenging Derwentside hills and scenery.

Mr O’Connor added: “We’ve already had an enthusiastic response from international teams to this year’s racing.”

The British Cycling Elite Category race was seen by over 10 million viewers on Eurosport and national TV networks.

The idea for the 2020 festival has already won support from councillors, British Cycling and many international racing teams as well as local organisations and businesses such as Tesco and the Hermiston Retail Park.

Planning for the festival is still in the early stages, and sponsors are also being sought.

Mr O’Connor said: “We’re putting a national and international focus on the area as a beautiful and vibrant place not only to live and work, but to visit and stay, too.

“We feel this year’s Cycle Festival will be the jewel in the crown of our efforts, focusing national and international attention on the area and boosting our visitor numbers.”

North-West Durham MP, Richard Holden, has also thrown his support behind this year’s event.

He said: “I am delighted that Consett Cycle Festival will be taking place again this year. It was an enormous boost to the local economy last year and I have no doubts that this year it will have an even bigger impact. It’s a great way to put Consett on the map.”