Tour of Britain cyclists pass through Diss
Hundreds of people lined the streets of Diss this lunchtime as 100 elite cyclists taking part in the latest stage of the Tour of Britain sped through the town.
People cheered and clapped as the leading pack of cyclists flew by at 12.20pm before the remaining group followed about five minutes later.
The athletes, which include world class sprinter Mark Cavendish, should have passed through Wymondham at about 1pm, before heading to Reepham for 1.35pm and finishing at the Sandringham Estate at about 2.45pm.
They set-off from Bury St Edmunds at 10.15am and had already passed trhough Ipswich and Eye before receiving a warm welcome to Norfolk in Diss.
Excitement in the town had built early with a performance from Brazilian street band Bloco Rabo De Foguete in the park - which sits next to the route - where games and a bouncy castle were also available for children.
You may also want to watch:
Diss Town Mayor Mike Bardwell said: 'I've been talking to people here today and everyone has just been really excited and looking forward to seeing it. The town is really buzzing and it's bringing lots of people in.'
The town's car parks filled quickly, and many cafes and retailers were enjoying a brisk trade as people from across south Norfolk travelled to the town to catch a glimpse of the cyclists.
Most Read
- 1 Norfolk wakes up to snow with more expected to fall
- 2 Norfolk's first mass Covid vaccination centre to open in food court
- 3 Drivers face non-essential travel fines after spate of snow crashes
- 4 Londoners fined for travelling to stay at second home in Norfolk
- 5 Government must step in to help 'desperate' Norwich hospital, says MP
- 6 Covid case rates continue to fall across Norfolk and Waveney
- 7 Are you in our Norfolk school photos from the 1970s?
- 8 Woman in 60s suffers serious injuries after car crashes into ditch
- 9 Voyeur watched people after setting up secret cameras in bathroom
- 10 Photo gallery: Snow turns region into winter wonderland
Many had justled for the best view points along the roadsides with a few spectators standing on fences, sitting on the tops of vans and even bringing along milk crates to give youngsters in the crowd some added height.
Staking their position early was Simon and Anna Harvey, who had driven from Long Stratton, with sons Ben, eight, Oliver, six, and friend Jack, eight.
Cycling enthusiast Mr Harvey said: 'I think the Tour coming through Norfolk and Suffolk is brilliant. Giving people the opportunity to see professioanl cyclists is great.'