THE dividend of the Tour de France's triumphant visit to the Bradford district will last for years after international publicity beyond price, say businesses and community leaders.

Haworth parish councillor and traders' spokesman Nikki Carroll summed up popular reaction to the two-day Grand Depart, an event which sent a shock-wave through local towns and villages.

"It was absolutely spectacular and so overwhelming it's hard to find the words to describe it.

"And personally I believe money couldn't buy the huge amount of positive publicity the Tour has brought to all our towns and villages," said Main Street shop owner Mrs Carroll.

"It was just phenomenal and created such a real buzz and sense of community and camaraderie."

Keighley town centre association chairman Steve Seymour said excitement had reached fever pitch in the town in the build up to the race's arrival.

"It gave great visibility to what West Yorkshire has to offer and now everyone's talking about having our very own Yorkshire cycling event.

"Nobody would ever have thought that was possible until today," Mr Seymour said.

"The only disappointment was that the TV coverage cut to an advert and didn't show the thousands of of people on the streets of Keighley - it has to be said, that was a crying shame," he said.

Keighley 's MP said local residents displayed an "overwhelming" response.

Kris Hopkins said: “We have so much going for us here, and I believe the tourism benefits experienced over the weekend will extend for a considerable period thanks to the global media coverage of the event.

“I would like to praise the countless willing volunteers who worked so hard over many months to ensure their towns and villages looked their best, leaving local people and visitors with memories to last them a lifetime."

Meanwhile, Bradford West MP George Galloway has submitted a parliamentary motion congratulating all who made the event so memorable.

He said: "It was a spectacular event in spectacular surroundings with a spectacular turn out of spectators. A massive success which is bound to bring even more tourists to Yorkshire and much-needed income. Fabulous."

Rita Verity runs Sonia's Smile Fairtrade shop on Haworth's Main Street and also predicted a lasting tourism boom.

"This has been an advertisement for the area beyond price.

"We all needed something, but could never have envisaged anything this good - this boost will last for years" she said.

Haworth resident of 25 years John Sargent helped publicise the Fields of Vision art which dotted the landscape and added: "It really was just the most amazing atmosphere - just brilliant."

Councillor Tony Maw, vice chairman of Oxenhope Parish Council, said: "It showed off the local area in the best possible light. It'll be interesting to see if we now get an influx of visitors wanting to spend more time here."

Mark Burns Williamson, the Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "This fantastic weekend has put Yorkshire on the map, nationally and globally.

"To see so many people line the streets and join in the celebrations as the cyclists raced through West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire was incredible."