The Tour De France has left a “lasting legacy” after speeding through our villages in July - and it could be back for a lap of honour.

Braintree district councillor Joanne Beavis said she hopes race organisers direct cyclists through our region again after an estimated 3.5 billion people worldwide watched this year’s Tour pass through.

Bed and breakfasts, clubs and cyclists along the route are still benefitting from the cycling boom as more people take up the sport and follow the track for themselves.

Joanne Beavis said : “It would be amazing if the race came back here again."

For the full story, see this week's Braintree and Witham Times.