Tour of Britain: Crowds in Hethersett, Wymondham, Attleborough and Old Buckenham welcome sporting event

Wymondham Town centre attracting crowds for the Tour of Britain 2015. Photo: Steve Adams

Hethersett and Wymondham

The streets of Wymondham and Hethersett were lined with families eager to see the Tour of Britain cyclists fly past on Saturday.

About 500 people gathered on the main road through Hethersett as the tour weaved its way.

The riders were greeted by cheering crowds, many waving flags and some even armed with cow bells.

Banners adorned the front of several businesses, welcoming the riders, while some of those with homes looking out to the make-shift race track decked their front gardens with bunting.

Jo Briscoe, visiting family in the village, said: 'It was wonderful to see some of the world's best cyclists come through the village. The children loved it.'

Meanwhile, in Wymondham, townsfolk lined the streets and waved Union Jack flags in a carnival atmosphere, with nearby shop windows decorated to support the tour's visit.

And the fun carried on throughout the day, with music, food and stalls held at the Market Cross, where children pedalled furiously on static bicycles to blow up balloons, power Scalectrix and even make smoothies.

A spokesperson for Wymondham Town Team, who organised the activities, thanked volunteers and the town, and said: 'It was a wonderful atmosphere with so many people of all ages enjoying themselves into the early afternoon, made possible by a good race, a little sunshine and a lot of goodwill from the businesses throughout Wymondham.'

Joe Mooney, Wymondham mayor, said: 'I am absolutely delighted with the turnout and really pleased that the three councils – county, district and town – came together to support this event because, without it, it would not have happened.

'It is great to see so many people out in the town, and everyone is enjoying it.'

Meanwhile, further along the road at Spooner Row, dozens of people headed to a charity 'pop-up' cafe organised by Karl Chapman.

The event raised more than £110 for the Tour's official charity partner, Bloodwise.

Attleborough and Old Buckenham

Spectators in Attleborough turned out in force to cheer the cyclists through the town, many armed with celebratory flags and with cameras to hand.

The town had truly taken the Tour to its heart, with a colourful trail of more than 100 decorated bikes dotted around Attleborough in the months leading up to its arrival.

Anna Lancaster, from Attleborough Bike Fest which had organised the decorated bike trail, was delighted to see so many people had turned out to support the riders.

She said: 'We thought we would have a wonderful day, but the turn out was beyond all our expectations. It has been a brilliant day and to some extent I am speechless on well it has gone.'

Attleborough Town Council also put on a fun day on the green, with activities such as funfair rides, wattbike racing and face painting, and there was live music and stalls.

Meanwhile, Old Buckenham was in the mood for celebrations as it welcomed the race by organising a day of bike-based fun.

Villagers and cycling fans turned out in force to cheer on the riders as they made their way past the village green.

Organised by Old Buckenham Parish Council, the celebrations ran right through the day with a fair and a beer festival at the Ox and Plough pub.

People could emulate Sir Bradley Wiggins by taking part in a family bike ride around the scenic village.

And what in what is thought to be the first event of its kind in the country, Diss Cycling Club arranged for a series of races on part of the same route as the Tour of Britain round the village green.

There were four races, with the longest race being 40 minutes long which was for British Cycling third and fourth category race licence holders.

The race was won by Darren Rutterford, of the Aylsham Road Club, and as he was handed his medal he said it had been a 'fantastic day' and that it was a 'fantastic circuit' to race on.