GLORIOUS sunshine welcomed the Tour de Yorkshire riders to the Worth Valley and South Craven on Sunday.

Locals and visitors lined the streets of Oxenhope, Haworth, Oakworth, Sutton and Cross Sutton to see the international cyclists hurtle through.

Support vehicles, sponsors’ cars and dozens of police motorcyclists were also cheered on their way as the annual race returned to the area.

The tour, created to build on the success of the Tour de France’s Grand Depart in Yorkshire in 2015, was this year expanded to four days.

Haworth, and particularly Main Street, was as usual a honeypot for both cycling enthusiasts and those who simply wanted to witness the exciting spectacle.

Although the cyclists were not due to arrive until around 1pm, the historic cobbled street began filling with people during the morning wanted the best vantage points.

Among those cosy in the shade of a shop were Keighley couple Paul and Clare Cook and their friend Dolly Makhoabenyane.

Like many people they had been in Haworth to watch both the Grand Depart and the subsequent Tour de Yorkshire visits.

Clare said: “It’s lovely to watch the race in Main Street, it’s atmospheric with the cobbles. We’ve been lucky with the weather this year – last year we were in jeans and jumpers.”

While waiting for the cyclists to arrive, Clare was texting with her mother Sue Daniels in South Africa, while her father Eric settled down in front of the television to watch the race.

The pair have lived for 50 years in South Africa, where Clare was born,

Clare said: “My dad will be be watching to see us. He paused the live telly last year because he could see my son on my shoulders in Main Street.

“My dad’s a keen cyclist. Although he’ll be 75 years old this year he still rides 100km a week.”

Ingrow man Christopher Akitt and his 11-year-old daughter Annalise, both keen cyclists, were catching lunch at the Changegate chippy before finding a prime spot for race watching.

Oxenhope was festooned with bunting and rosettes to welcome the Tour de Yorkshire riders to Brontëland thanks to 16 hours of effort by volunteer residents.

Children from Keighley schools had decorated sections of the route with support from Bradford Council, St Mary’s Church and the Fab Lab at Keighley College.

Artwork in the form of a giant traditional rickshaw was created for a field in Oakworth by the Bangladeshi Community Association and Holycroft Primary School.

A flock of geese greeted the riders as they tackled the steep climb at Cote de Goose Eye, some created by young people from Keighley.

Staff at Townend Close elderly people’s complex in Cross Hills were delighted that Tour de Yorkshire spectators bought raffle tickets for their Vintage Fair and chatted with residents.