­TOUR de France winner and Olympic Time Trial champion Bradley Wiggins heads a stellar field of professional cyclists who will pass through Okehampton next month as part of this year's Tour of Britain.

Wiggins will lead Team Sky through the town on Saturday September 15, alongside World Road Race champion Mark Cavendish, and Devon rider Jeremy Hunt.

Alongside the trio of British riders are two members of Wiggins' successful Tour de France line-up, Bernhard Eisel and Christian Knees, plus Swedish rider Thomas Löfkvist.

Devon County Council is predicting the announcement will attract tens of thousands of extra spectators to the county, providing a boost to the local economy.

To celebrate the occasion, Fore Street will be closed to traffic to encourage traders to put out tables, promote their businesses and create a party atmosphere in the town centre.

Alongside the farmers' market stalls and stalls from shops, visitors can enjoy stunt bike riders led by Kye Forte, showing off their skills.

There have also been discussions to hold BMX sprint races, children's races, and have a live commentary team sat in the balcony of the White Hart Hotel.

The Okehampton street party event has been co-ordinated by the chamber of trade and Okehampton Cycle Club with help from Cllr Christine Marsh.

Cllr Marsh said: 'With all the events currently being planned, this will be like Edwardian Evening, but like a daytime party.

'It could be brilliant for the town's traders if they get involved, put out tables and get in the spirit, and it is something to really get excited about.'

Cllr Kevin Ball echoed the sentiments: 'Now that it is confirmed Bradley Wiggins will be riding through town we should maximise this, following his success in the Tour de France and then the Olympic Games in London.

'We should do what we can to get everyone involved — maybe get everyone to wear their Bradley Wiggins sideburns for the day.'

Darren Bostock from Okehampton Cycle Club said: 'I am very much excited for the tour to pass through Okehampton. Preparations are going well now, and it should be a great day for the town.

'The Olympics have definitely generated more interest in cycling. Of course, you have people already very interested, but the numbers taking an interest has definitely shot up. Events like the tour can keep that going and get more people interested in sport.

'Kye Forte and his team should bring something a bit different, showing off their ramp skills and other skills. He is an amazing rider, holding the world record for the highest BMX jump. They have an MC too, so it should be a great show.'

Devon will also be well represented during the race. Endura Racing's rider Jon Tiernan-Locke, who won last year's Skoda King of the Mountains jersey, returns and will be aiming to improve on fifth overall in 2011.

Yanto Barker, who was top British finisher in the Tour of Britain in 2005, will lead Team UK Youth on the team's debut in the tour. Brennan Townsend from Chagford could also make his Tour of Britain debut for Team Raleigh.

Other notable riders include Euskaltel Euskadi's Samuel Sanchez, who won the Olympic Road Race in Beijing in 2008 and is making his Tour of Britain debut.

The 106-mile Devon stage starts in Barnstaple and heads over Dartmoor before finishing in Dartmouth. It passes through communities including Hatherleigh, Great Torrington, Princetown, Tavistock and Bideford.

It includes three Skoda King of the Mountains climbs at South Hill, near Little Torrington, as well as Merrivale and Coffin Stone within Dartmoor National Park.

There will also be intermediate Yodel Sprints at Great Torrington, Slapton Ley and Kingsbridge.

The stage is in the penultimate stage of the tour, with the final stage in Guildford on Sunday September 16.