The Tour of Britain will be returning to Sussex.

More than 300,000 spectators watched a bumper weekend of cycling action as the country’s biggest bike race scythed its way across the South Downs.

As sports stars and fans hailed the route through Horsham, Ditchling Beacon and finish line on Brighton seafront – the “perfect” location for the event, organisers promised it will return to the county, bringing millions more pounds into the local economy.

A spokesman for the Tour of Britain said: “The race definitely will return but as to when or where watch this space.”

The routes for future races are yet to be planned but cycling enthusiasts in Sussex can expect to see the tour again sometime soon.

As this year’s tour passed through a predicted cash boost of £3 million for the county was dubbed by councillors’ as the “Wiggo effect”.

Ian Davey, lead member of Brighton and Hove City Council for transport, said: “The weather was perfect and it was fantastic to see so many residents out in support of the Tour of Britain.

“After 200km hard riding the competitors were cheered up the daunting Ditchling Beacon and then Bear Road before the final race along Brighton seafront to rapturous cheers at the finish line – I hope the tour visits again before too long.”

Sir Bradley Wiggins himself hailed the Sussex route and supporters a huge success. He said: “The crowd are really encouraging.

“We do so many races in Europe where you hardly see anyone on the road. From this morning all the way through the stage there were just lines of people. It’s great.”