Le Tour: West Vale ready for ‘a great day’

Preparations were in full swing as early as 6.30am this morning, with stallholders setting up their pitches and eager spectators claiming their places along the route.

The village is decked out in bunting in the main square next to Andy Thornton Mill, with yellow bikes and Union Jack flags adorning the route.

Karen Dominiak, who runs the Cafe @ Brow Bridge, said: “It’s great - we’re so excited!

“We’ve been planning and preparing for a year. People have made such an effort.

“It’s just fantastic.”

Simon Walker, who runs The Pizza Guy stall, said: “We were in Otley yesterday and it was fantastic.

“We were very busy and it was a proper carnival atmosphere.”

Charlotte Atkinson, from the Bev’s Baps cafe, said: “The atmosphere’s already starting to build.

“It’s taken a lot of preparation.

“It actually goes past my house so I’ll be sat there watching it later!

“It really feels like the whole community has come together for it.”

Marilyn Greenwood, who has helped organise soome of the events in West Vale, said: “It’s such a wonderful thing to happen for the community.

“I just hope we can maintain this community spirit after the event.

“I think everybody’s going to have a great day.”