Lib Dems Keep Election Promise to bring Tour of Britain to Somerset!

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 11th Sep 2007

It's not often that a political group can point to a specific time and place when they met a manifesto promise, but Tuesday 11th September was just such a day, when people lined the streets to welcome the Tour of Britain to Somerset!

Jill Shortland presents the award for the 'most combative' rider

The county Liberal Democrats first discussed the possibility of hosting the first South West stage of the Tour of Britain several years ago. They were enthusiastic not only about the prestige it would bring to the county and the benefit to communities and tourism, but also about the importance of promoting an environmentally and sustainable form of transport.

The council leader, Jill Shortland presented the award to the most combative rider after the closing stage of the tour in Taunton. She was delighted with the crowds who have turned out all over Somerset today, enjoying something of a 'carnival' atmosphere, with events going on before and after the cyclists passed through. French hosts in Taunton paid tribute to everyone's involvement and likened the atmosphere to the Tour de France and Jill thanked the two councillors for their input and the officers who worked so hard.

Even better, is the fact that Somerset County Council has secured the South West stage of the race for five years, leading up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, so look out for news of more events working up to decisions on next year's route.