All eyes will be on Pewsey when the route of the UK’s most prestigious cycle race – the Tour of Britain – passes through the village.

More than 100 elite international cyclists will race through Pewsey on September 12, the day after the Carnival four-legged race.

Wiltshire councillor Jerry Kunkler said: “It’s very exciting. Although the route hasn’t been announced yet, it will probably go through the High Street.

“I will be quite quick but it will have a big effect on the village. The streets are quite narrow so people will have a clear view of the action.

“Once the route has been announced I’ll be getting local businesses to get involved, so it will be a welcome boost to the economy.”

Businesses believe the tour, which will also go through of Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge and Devizes, will be a huge boost for the village.

Caroline Dalrymple, owner of a soft furnishings business and a B&B in the High Street, said: “I think it’s fantastic; it’s a tremendous thing for the village and of course it’s carnival week too.

“I’d have thought it will bring people in from outside the village, I’d hope so because I have a B&B and I don’t have any bookings for that week yet.”

The race will pass through the village as part of the sixth stage of the Tour of Britain, which was won last year by Sir Bradley Wiggins.

Wiltshire Council has said that it is a possibility that the route will also go through Marlborough, although this has not been confirmed.

The tour runs from September 7 to 14 and attracts more than 1.5m spectators in total. The sixth stage will start in Bath and finish in Hemel Hempstead. The exact route is expected to be announced later in the year.

Inspector Chris Chammings of Wiltshire Police, a cycling enthusiast, said: “This gives us a fantastic chance to showcase the towns of Wiltshire to the countries worldwide that this event will be broadcast in, and to once again show how partnership working can add value to communities and businesses in our area.”