With just over a month to go until the Tour of Britain visits Dorset, Visit Dorset has, perhaps aptly, been announced as a sponsor for the stage.

The cycle race takes place every September across eight days and eight stages and this is the first time that the tour has come to Dorset.

Stage Seven takes place on Saturday, September 10 and starts at West Bay before following the coast road into Abbotsbury through to Dorchester, Wareham, Blandford and Wimborne before finishing at Ferndown.

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: “The sponsorship forms part of Visit Dorset’s 2022 marketing plan to support the local tourism industry and provide a boost to businesses as we head into the shoulder season to autumn and beyond.

“Visit Dorset will be making the most of this fantastic opportunity to highlight our beautiful county to a global audience.”

Councillor Tony Ferrari, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property, said:

“We are pleased to host such a prestigious event. It is important that we use this terrific opportunity to attract people to visit Dorset and support the local economy, especially after such a challenging couple of years for the tourism industry due to the pandemic.”