A FESTIVAL of Wheels will see hundreds of cyclists racing through Minehead town centre as part of the celebrations to greet the Flying Scotsman’s visit in September.

The plan was unveiled this week as the season’s most ambitious tourist attraction.

A kilometre-long route in the heart of the town will be closed to traffic for at least five hours on Sunday September 10 for a series of cycle races which it is hoped will attract some of Britain’s best riders.

There will also be races for women, children and families which are expected to attract hundreds of entrants.

Organisers Minehead Events Group and Minehead Cycling Club have applied to the highways authority to to close off the town centre.

They will be sending out letters to residents and businesses explaining the day’s timetable and keeping them in touch with developments.

“We want to work with everyone to make sure that the day is a spectacular success,” events group spokesman Graham Sizer told the Free Press.

“Closer to the day, signs will be in place to counter any potential adverse comments and make the day smooth operationally.

“We hope Minehead will support us and that any problems can be sorted out well beforehand. For instance, extra parking is being sought in and around the town.

“Minehead organised a similar event about 20 years ago and it was a great success."

The proposed racetrack will centre around Blenheim Gardens.

Starting and finishing at the old hospital, riders will race up The Parade to the Bancks Street junction, negotiate a tight U-turn back down The Parade then turn in to Blenheim Road, along North Street and back up The Avenue.

Races will be 30 to 40 minutes long and those for top-class competitors will be limited to 80 riders.

“Cycling will be the main even but we are interested in anything that has to do with wheels,” said Mr Sizer.