TOUR of Britain fans will have the chance to see top class cycling action on their doorstep when the national event comes to Devon in September.

Among the places that will see stage seven of this year's event will be Hatherleigh, Tavistock, Okehampton and Princetown.

Just one month after the London 2012 Olympic Games, the tour will provide the opportunity for spectators to see Olympic medallists in action as 96 of the world's top cyclists line up for the eight-day race.

This year's Devon stage will start in Barnstaple on Saturday, September 15 and will cover around 106 miles of the county before finishing in Dartmouth.

The route will again take in Dartmoor National Park, and will re-visit some towns which have hosted stage starts and finishes in recent years, including Bideford, Hatherleigh and Tavistock.

It will also wind its way through other communities, including Okehampton and Princetown.

Expecting to take part will be Team Sky's current road cycling world champion Mark Cavendish and last year's world champion Thor Hushovd, of BMC Racing and Devon rider Jon Tiernan Locke who went on to win the Skoda King of the Mountains jersey and finished fifth overall.

Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: 'With the event so close to the Olympic Games there's sure to be an even bigger buzz about this year's race and hopefully we'll get to see some Olympic medallists racing through the county.

'We're the only South West stage this year and as the penultimate stage, Devon could prove to be a decisive point in the race, which is an added bonus for spectators.

'The Tour is also an opportunity to demonstrate to everyone watching the race, whether it's on TV or by the roadside, why we're a cycling county.

'This year's route passes through communities which are linked to some of our most popular cycling routes, such as the Tarka Trail, Granite Way and Drake's Trail, and hopefully it will encourage more people to take up cycling or give it another go.'

Last year more than 125,000 spectators lining the route from Exeter to Exmouth, via Dartmoor National Park.