Cyclists and spectators are assured of a warm welcome to Tendring when they arrive in the District for the inaugural Friends Life Women’s Tour.

Three large signs have been sprayed onto grassed areas in Clacton, Dovercourt and Manningtree at strategic locations.

One is on the corner of Jaywick Lane opposite the Three Jays pub, another at Dovercourt Swimming Pool – where Stage Five of the race begins on Sunday (May 11) at 10am – and the final one on the roundabout near Manningtree Railway Station.

Sports and Courts Line Marking was brought in to carry out the work in readiness for the tour’s arrival in Tendring for the first time on Friday (May 9).

Stage Three will finish in Clacton around 1.40pm today having headed off from Felixstowe at 11am.

Mark Platt, Tendring District Council’s (TDC) Cabinet Member for Tourism, Events and Leisure Services, said the aim is to ensure that everyone involved who is coming to the District knows they are welcome.

“This is a massive event for us and the most prominent sporting competition ever to take place in Tendring,” he said.

“We want people to know exactly where they are – and that we are pleased to see them come to the District.

“The signs will be particularly prevalent from the air and with helicopters following the race we hope it will get a strong message across.”