THE organisers of a successful charity ride are expecting strong final numbers as a major cycling event heads to town.

Hundred of cyclists of all age groups and abilities will be getting on their bikes for the Tour de Furness on Sunday September 9.

In the last 10 years alone Tour de Furness has generated some £258,000 for more than 50 charities, with £110,000 being received by St Mary's Hospice over the past decade.

The Rotary Club of Furness is staging the 23rd Tour de Furness this autumn, with routes over five miles, 13 miles, 23 miles and 50s.

Two days before, Stage Six of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain starts in Barrow, with international cyclists coming to the town for the sporting spectacle.

The stage, sponsored by BAE Systems and will begin outside Barrow Town Hall.

Tour de Furness organisers believe the major sporting stage will give their event a great boost, as it did in 2015 when Tour of Britain visited the county.

Last year the Tour de Furness experienced horizontal rain, so a fine forecast is also going to be helpful.

David Salt, chairman of the Tour de Furness committee, said: "Tour de Furness supports more than 50 charities, so the more rubber we get on the road, the more the charities benefit.

"The Tour of Britain coming to Barrow will definitely be good for our event. "People see world class cyclists and it encourages them to get out there on their bikes and get active."

All the Tour de Furness events start and finish at Roose Conservative Club.

The five mile ride heads to Rampside and back. This route is popular with children and their families.

The 13 mile event goes into Leece and past Furness Abbey, while the 23 mile ride takes in Bardsea, Scales and Urswick.

The 50 mile event goes along the coast road to Ulverston, over to Greenodd and past Coniston Water.

The event is assisted by sponsors, volunteers and cyclists. The Rotary clubs of Barrow and Furness Peninsula help the organisers put on the event .

Entries are still open for the event and people can submit entries on The Tour de Furness website. Anyone wanting to volunteer to help can email tourdefurness2018@gmail.com