Ilkley Soroptimists are encouraging people to get involved in the Tour de France this summer by volunteering as a local guide.

Soroptimist International of Ilkley has volunteered to organise a local guiding service which will operate over the three days of the weekend.

With the authorities saying several thousand people could descend on Ilkley ready for the Tour de France’s visit on July 5, the Soroptomists are making their plans to help provide a warm welcome to the town.

There will be two or three fixed stands at key points in the town centre plus guides wearing high-visibility jackets circulating among the crowd. The aim is to be there to point people in the right direction and provide a warm welcome.

Ilkley Soroptomists say they are looking for at least 100 volunteers.

Anyone who would like to be one of these local guides needs to have some basic knowledge of Ilkley and be aged 18 or over.

Time commitment for an individual may be as little as a couple of hours on the Friday, Saturday or Sunday, plus a short information session prior to July.

Send an e-mail headed Ilkley Guides to siilkley@gmail.com or a text to (07779) 026236 if you are interested in volunteering.