A BURNLEY business is getting on its bike to rally support for next year’s Tour de France.

Fine food and coffee shop Earls, Manchester Road, has been running a competition with On Yer Bike, of Queen Street, where customers have to guess the weight of various cycles.

The model will change each week, from a racer to a mountain bike to a hybrid machine, with Gallic prizes such as ‘croque monsieur’, ‘creme bulee’ and ‘frappes’ on offer for the best guessers.

An overall prize, of a VIP weekend for two to the Grand Depart in Leeds next year, is also being offered by shop owner Anne Mercer.

She said: “We like to pick up on themes and link it in with our food – it’s just about trying out something different.”

Regeneration leaders from Pennine Prospects, the South Pennines agency, are urging traders from Cliviger and Worsthorne and the town centre to take advantage of the ‘Grand Depart’, a stage of the tour which will touch on the outskirts of Todmorden.

And now a special workshop will be held at Towneley Hall, on July 22, in partnership with Burnley Council, for everyone from guest houses to cafes, pubs and cycling shops to get involved.

Mark Turner, of Pennine Prospects, has already staged a similar event in Bacup and has been working with traders in Todmorden, where a variety of events are being formulated to coincide with the tour’s arrival in nearby Cragg Vale.

He said that tips and tricks will be on offer to help traders make the most of the tour’s arrival, as well as support to organise related events.

If businesses wish to take up the offer then they are being advised to book a place with Kate Burnett, via e-mail - kate.burnett@pennineprospects.co.uk or by calling 01422 846049.