POLICE are warning of possible disruption to traffic across the county as the Tour of Britain Cycle Race travels through Lancashire today.

The race starts at 10.30am in Blackpool Town Centre but the route will take the race through the Trough of Bowland and Clitheroe before heading towards Southport. Police expect the Lancashire part of the race to be completed by 2.30pm.

There will be up to 16 teams taking part in the race, each team consisting of six cyclists of the highest standard, some of whom were medallists at the Olympic Games in Athens 2004. This event will attract national and international media attention and large numbers of spectators are expected at key points in the race especially hill climbs and sprint finishes.

The entire route will be subject to road closure orders, which will be enforced by Lancashire police officers as the race progresses along the route. Roads will only be closed whilst the race is passing.

There will be police motorcyclists and civilian moto-marshalls escorting the cyclists.

Insp Phil Cottam, from Lancashir Policee Motorway Unit, said: "There will be some disruption to traffic on the race route and I would ask that if motorists are affected by this, that they are patient. The race is fast-moving so we only anticipate slight hold-ups at any one location."

For more details of the route and the estimated times of arrival at key locations, see the Constabulary website at www.lancashire.police.uk