SIR Francis Drake put in a special appearance to welcome the Tour de Manche baguette baton relay to Tavistock on Saturday.

Visitors enjoyed a day of Anglo-French festivities to celebrate the launch of the new cross-Channel Tour de Manche cycle route, including cookery demonstrations from chefs Peter Gorton, Jacques Marchal, Brice Moore from Browns Hotel and Paul Giles Phillips from The Terrace.

Secured by Tavistock Business Improvement District (BID), the event was arranged in partnership with Tavistock Town Council, West Devon Borough Council and Cycle West.

Manager of the Tavistock Business Improvement District who organised the event Lisa Wadling said: 'We were up against the weather but the launch definitely helped drive visitors into town.

'Tavistock was busy all weekend with cafes reporting footfall up by seven to ten per cent. A huge thank you to everyone who took part and supported the event. Cycling tourism is on the rise and we hope to see lots more visitors.'