One of the world's biggest sporting events could be coming to the villages of Sussex.

West Sussex County Council has backed an ambitious bid to host a stage of the Tour de France in 2006.

County Hall's support has been included in a detailed proposal submitted to race organisers by the office of the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone.

And if the bid is approved, the yellow jersey will whiz into Haywards Heath before passing through Cowfold, Coolham, Billingshurst and Petworth.

Potential benefits for tourism in the area are massive with TV pictures of the Sussex countryside being beamed around the world.

The race draws 20 million people on to the roads of France and the worldwide television audience numbers more than 900 million.

Under the proposal, stage one of the leg will start in Greenwich and finish at The Mall, near Buckingham Palace.

On day two, cyclists would travel through Kent to the A272 in Haywards Heath before heading to the north of Chichester.

County council Cabinet member Coun Tex Pemberton said: "The Tour de France is one of the world's biggest sporting events and if it comes here the benefits for tourism are potentially enormous.

"That is not just from people wanting to watch the race but seeing our spectacular countryside, towns and villages and all that we have to offer on world-wide television.

"I know we would demonstrate a warm welcome and friendly hospitality to all the participants and the enormous entourage that accompanies them, and to the many thousands of visiting spectators."

Sussex Enterprise, which represents businesses, was thrilled by the prospect.

Chief executive Mark Froud said: "Something as internationally well-known as the Tour de France would raise the profile of Sussex considerably both here and abroad.

"An event of this kind is also good news for local suppliers, such as caterers that would benefit from offering their services to a large-scale event.

"Sussex is now established as a centre for sporting activities. With big names such as Goodwood, Hickstead Showground and the ladies' tennis championships in Eastbourne, Sussex is looked on as the ideal place to come for business and pleasure."

In his foreword to the bid, Mr Livingstone told race organisers: "We are very serious about staging the Tour in 2006 and already have a number of key organisations and local authorities on board."

The Tour de France covers about 2,500 miles of racing over three weeks.

Twenty teams of nine riders compete for prize money of £1.2 million and the prestigious yellow jersey.

The route includes the rugged terrain of the French Alps as well as the heat of the south and the plains of the west.

Thursday September 18, 2003