The leader of Dudley Council has hailed the announcement that this year’s cycling National Road Championships will go through the borough.

The men and women’s road race, sponsored by HSBC UK, is being hosted in the Midlands this year on June 20.

The route will start at Centenary Square in Birmingham and travels through the borough past The Black Country Living Museum, Dudley Zoo and Himley Hall before finishing near Aldersley Velodrome in Wolverhampton. Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said:

"We’re delighted with today’s announcement that the National Road Cycling Championship will be travelling through the borough and past many of our most notable tourist attractions.

"It is one of the biggest weekends on the UK cycling calendar and will give fans of the sport the chance to see our best riders on their doorsteps. It could also inspire the next generation to get involved in cycling.

"Playing a part in this event gives us an opportunity to showcase Dudley, and the wider Black Country, to an international audience as a great place to live, work and invest.

"It should also bring economic benefits from extra people visiting the borough, while demonstrating our competence in helping to deliver a major sporting event on a national scale."