THE Deputy Prime Minister has urged people to join a team of 10,000 volunteers who will help stage next year’s Tour de France.

At the launch of the Tour Maker scheme, which follows the highly-praised Olympics and Paralympics 2012 Games Makers initiative, Nick Clegg said people had until December 31 to register to play an active role in the world’s largest annual sporting event.

He said the eyes of the world would be on Yorkshire next July as it passes through the Yorkshire Dales, Harrogate, York and Ripon.

The volunteers’ roles will range from welcoming international visitors at major transport hubs to supporting Yorkshire Dales National Park rangers and the emergency services.

Mr Clegg said: ““You can already sense the buzz and excitement right across the country as we get ever closer to Yorkshire’s Grand Départ, and the launch of the Tour Makers and the public’s response to it already is evidence of that.

“I would urge anyone interested in this scheme to put their names forward now.

“It promises to be an historic, spectacular event and really cements our nation as a global sporting leader.”

Mr Clegg issued the appeal as Asda announced it would become the official partner of the Tour Makers for Yorkshire’s Grand Départ 2014 and Tour de France in the UK.

The supermarket firm will provide uniforms designed by its clothing brand, George, for the volunteers and help with their recruitment, training and feeding.

An Asda spokesman said: “We are really proud of our Yorkshire roots and it’s such an honour for Asda to be involved in a first for Tour de France, by supporting the Tour Makers in such an iconic sporting event that’s on our doorstep.”

Gary Verity, chief executive of tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire, which is helping to stage the event, said the Tour Makers would play a vital role in supporting the event, which is expected to see up to three million people lining the routes of the British stages.

For details about volunteering, visit letouryorkshire.com/volunteer