HOSTING a cornerstone of the British sporting calendar could open the floodgates to East Lancashire holding more internationally-recognised events in the future, according to the area's leaders.

Council chiefs have hailed the Tour of Britain in September as a 'massive opportunity' for the region to make itself known across the globe.

Thousands of spectators are expected to converge on the Ribble Valley and Pendle later this year to witness the largest sporting event in the area for decades.

Cllr Stuart Hirst, leader of Ribble Valley Borough Council, has said that he sees no reason why the borough could not hold other large sporting events in the coming years if the Tour of Britain proves to be a success.

He said: "I think that this event will lead to more international events being staged in the borough.

"We already hold numerous large events on an annual basis including the Clitheroe Food Festival and the Beat Herder music festival.

"But this is in a different league and I'm very confident that we can attract more large events like this again in the future.

"This is our chance to prove that we can host an event on this scale successfully and I see no reason why, while working with our partners and promoters, that we can't hold more in the future."

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, leader of Pendle Council, said: "I want this event to leave a legacy like the Tour de France coming to Yorkshire did.

"That's going to be my main focus and I want us to capitalise on the high level of tourism that the area will attract this summer."