Top cyclists will be showing off their skills in a north Norfolk market town next week as part of a national cycling event.

Dozens of top class competitors will be racing in the Johnson Health Tech Grand Prix Series and Pearl Izumi Tour Series in Aylsham town centre on Thursday, June 13.

As well as the professional men and women taking part in the races, community events will be run throughout the day. Peter Hodges, spokesman for the Pearl Izumi Tour Series, said: 'The races will include the best of British racers and a smattering of riders from around the world, including Australia and New Zealand.

'We know how well the Tour of Britain was supported in Norfolk so we are expecting a really big crowd in Aylsham.

'It is a lovely town and the circuit is going to be brilliant. It is going to be very different and the riders are really excited about seeing it. We are really looking forward to the event.'

Riders from the tours started on May 14 in Kircaldy, Scotland, and have travelled through towns and cities including Durham, Aberystwyth, Torquay and Colchester.

The Aylsham event, supported by Norfolk County Council and Broadland District Council, is the penultimate day before the grand final in Ipswich on Friday June 14.

In Aylsham, the day will start at 12.30pm with children's activities music, market craft and a farmers' market. There will also be smaller races for school children, which will build up to the two main events.

The 50 women riders in the Johnson Health Tech Grand Prix Series will tackle the 1.2km course from 5.30pm for 45 minutes.

It is expected they will complete 25 laps.

The men's race, as part of the Pearl Izumi Tour Series with 50 competitors, will last for just over an hour from 7.30pm.

Both start and finish points will be on Norwich Road and the course will go along Red Lion Street, the Market Place, Penfold Street, Cawston Road, Mill Road and Palmers Lane.

The roads will be closed to traffic for the event.

Visit www.tourseries.co.uk for more information.