After two successive years, the Tour of Britain will not be coming to Cumbria in September - but cycling enthusiasts won't have to travel far to see it.

The county has basked in the reflected glory of the elite cycle race in recent years, with not one but two stages starting within Cumbria last year.

Race organisers have confirmed the 2017 route, and this year it focuses on the eastern side of England and Scotland and into the south east and Wales.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council told the News & Star : "We have been delighted to welcome the Tour of Britain to Cumbria for the last two years.

"The Tour was never planning to visit Cumbria this year – instead taking a route down the east of the country.

"The race has proved immensely popular in Cumbria, generating a boost to the local economy and also in the number of people - adults and young people alike – getting involved in their local cycling club and keeping fit.

"Cumbria is a beautiful place to host such an event, and we hope to welcome the Tour of Britain back to the county in the future."

The cost of staging the Tour in Cumbria is in the region of £250,000, including sponsorship, road closures, additional policing and extra highways staff.

However, this is outweighed by the financial boost it brings - both at the time, with hotels and restaurants booked out along each stage, but also in the longer term. The Tour's live televised coverage allows millions of people to see the countryside, towns and villages along the route.

The 2016 Tour is believed to have generated about £5m for the Cumbrian economy.

All is not lost for cycling fans in the region though.

The second stage of the tour is set to begin in the beautiful Kielder Water and Forest Park on Monday, September 4.

About 120 cyclists will head from there through Numberland to Blyth.

At just over 211km, the stage will be the longest of the 2017 Tour, and is set to include a finishing loop - giving spectators at the Blyth finish the chance to see the race twice.