SOME of the world's top cyclists will race through villages in the district in a prestigious cycling event.

This year's Tour of Britain will see cyclists racing through towns and villages in the district as part of the competition which features nine new start and finish locations.

Stage six of the race takes cyclists from Southend to Harlow, with the route passing through Rettendon Turnpike, through South Woodham Ferrers and along Lower Burnham Road to Burnham.

From there, cyclists will go through Southminster and the Dengie, through Tillingham towards Bradwell and back around, passing through Steeple, Mayland, Latchingdon, Purleigh and Bicknacre.

Fans will be able to spot the athletes on Friday, September 8, as part of the 146.2km route with a total climb of 1046m.

The riders are expected to start at Southend's Western Esplanade at 11.45am.

They can be expected in South Woodham Ferrers at 12.49pm, Burnham at 1.12pm and Southminster at 1.17pm.

More than one million spectators are expected to line the route of the event around the country.

World champions, Tour de France winners and Olympians make up the 120 professionals at the start line.

A spokesman for the Tour of Britain said: “Looping around the Essex countryside, the second day of the Tour of Britain’s eastern double-header is a spectator-friendly stage between Southend-on-Sea and Harlow.

“After rolling out from Southend’s Western Esplanade, in the shadows of the city’s historic pier, the first 65km loop around the towns of Rochford, South Woodham Ferrers, and Burnham-on-Crouch, offering fans the opportunity to catch the peloton at multiple locations.

“The route then commences its westerly path towards Harlow, initially running parallel to the River Blackwater, and then through Ingatestone, which is regularly named as one of the most desirable places to live in the UK.

“Stage six finishes on Third Avenue, where Lorena Wiebes triumphed on day two of last year’s Women’s Tour.”

Stage one is from Altrincham to Manchester, stage two is based around Wrexham, stage three is from Goole to Beverley, stage four is from Sherwood Forest to Newark-on-Trent, stage five is based in and around Felixstowe, stage six is from Southend to Harlow, stage seven is from Tewkesbury to Gloucester and stage eight is from Margam Country Park to Caerphilly.

For more information, go to tourofbritain.co.uk.