THOUSANDS of tourists are set to flock to Pendle this summer as the borough gears up for the annual cycle festival.

This year's Pendle Cycle Festival is set to attract hordes of visitors, swelling the coffers of the local economy.

In previous years Olympic medalists, such as Bradley Wiggins and Chris Hoy, have taken part.

The event was due to begin last weekend with a new event, the Pendle Pedal challenge.

But the gruelling 100-mile route, taking in the area's toughest hills, will be held on Sunday, August 6, to give organisers more time to prepare.

Instead, the festival will kick off on June 11 with the first of 12 guided rides through Pendle planned for throughout the summer.

Other key dates include the Pendle Cycle Show, on Saturday August 5, which has been moved from Victory Park, Nelson, to Pendle Leisure Centre, Colne; the Colne Grand Prix road race on Wednesday, July 19; and the elite 100-mile Tour of Pendle being staged on Saturday, August 19.