Hopes are growing that the Tour of Britain cycle race could come through Epsom in September.

Epsom Council has expressed an interest in hosting the start of the Surrey leg of the race which would draw huge crowds to the town.

Organisers have approached the council about the town being the possible starting point for the penultimate stage of Britain's biggest cycling race on September 21.

It is thought the Tour of Britain would help promote the area as well as encouraging more people to cycle.

Last month the council’s leisure committee strongly supported hosting the race and agreed in principle to hosting the start of stage seven.

A Tour of Britain spokeswoman said she could not confirm or deny whether the route would go through Epsom until its announcement on March 21.

Last year a stage of the Tour of Britain started in Priory Park, Reigate, which reportedly attracted 25,000 people.

Reigate and Banstead Council said it spent between £5,000 and £6,000 on hosting the event.