THE streets of Otley were buzzing with a palpable sense of excitement on the eve of the Tour de France Grand Depart coming through the town.

The town was busier than usual with last-minute Tour-related bunting, posters, flags and displays shooting up everywhere.

Riders from several of the teams were also spotted scouting the area - with some visiting local cafes for a pit stop. Team Giant Shimano, which is headed by one of the Tour favourites Marcel Kittel, stopped off at the Rumblin Tum Cafe in the town for refreshments.

Otley Pub Club's membership secretary Bob Brook summed up the mood: "There's a real sense of excitement about what's coming to the town.

"And we've been given a boost by the Black Horse re-opening on Thursday night and a brand new pub, Otley Tap House, opening on Boroughgate today just in time for the Tour.

"That means we have 20 open pubs in Otley now and the Tour coming has definitely been the impetus for these last two opening now.

"We've been working with Enterprinse Inns over the past two weeks to make sure the Black Horse was looking its best and opened in time for the Tour, because it's in such an important location and an iconic Otley building."