HUNDREDS of cyclists sped through Okehampton over the weekend as part of the new cross-Channel Tour de Manche cycle route.

The Tour de Manche is the last and longest of the three new, varied routes to be completed as part of the £6.8-million 'Cycle West' project.

An Anglo-French cycling festival was held in Tavistock on Saturday to mark the official launch of the cycle route, taking in more than 700 miles.

Keen cyclists took part in the 'baguette baton' relay, where volunteers rode a baguette baton from Poole along the Tour de Manche route all week, and cyclists from across West Devon joined in the last leg from Lydford taking the baton to Tavistock.

Mayor of West Devon Borough Council William Cann said:?'The Tour de Manche route will put West Devon on the European map.

'As a key part of the circular route, the West Devon section showcases some spectacular moorland edge scenery following Drake's Trail and the Granite Way.'

Lisa Wadling, Okehampton town promotions manager, said:?'The route comes through the Granite Way and Okehampton and we're hoping people will pick this part of the route to holiday on, meaning a good boost for the town.'