ORGANISERS of Tour de France events in a town the race will visit on both opening stages said their plans for tackling congestion have already proved successful.

Lengthy tailbacks developed in Harrogate as part of the town centre ring road, West Park, was closed to enable the installation of the first stage finish area.

A Harrogate Borough Council spokeswoman said the congestion had been quickly cleared and that they were expecting 100,000 spectators to watch the race in the town.

She said: "There has been a lot of activity on The Stray [park].

"It has been like being on the

Continent, with all the Tour truck drivers pulling up and saying bonjour."

She advised people coming to the town, which will have an official fan zone on West Park featuring a range of live entertainment and a big screen in Crescent Gardens, to plan "early and come early".

For details, visit harrogate.gov.uk/ or tourdefrancefanpark.co.uk/