Communities along the route of the Tour de France are being asked to start their parties early and join official French festivities over the weekend of May 31 and June 1.

La Fête du Tour is a celebration of places that feature on the route of the Tour de France – and, this year, two stages of the Tour’s Grand Depart pass through the Bradford district.

Organisers want communities to get involved by organising their own event, or simply add a French or cycling twist to an existing event on May 31 or June 1.

Traditional French Fête du Tour festivities include cycle rides, picnics and walks in villages and towns across the country.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “La Fête du Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for everyone to get involved. This will be the first time the UK has engaged with La Fête.”