A small church in the Washburn Valley is hoping to enjoy a major Tour de France windfall.

The race’s riders will speed past Blubberhouses, on the A59, on Sunday, July 6 – the second day of the Grand Depart.

The local St Andrew’s Church is ideally placed to offer a good view of the race and is planning to sell tickets to allow cycling fans to watch from the churchyard, where refreshments and cakes will be sold.

Church supporters are also being invited to help by baking a Tour inspired cake for the occasion, with proceeds going towards the cost of essential repairs.