CREDITON is gearing up to welcome the nation's top cycling race once again with big crowds expected to line the route from Okehampton to Copplestone and Crediton through to Exeter.

The Tour of Britain organisers SweetSpot Group and hosts Devon County Council have announced that the Devon Stage for 2014 will take place on Thursday, September 11.

It is the fifth leg of the race and will start in Exmouth and finish in Exeter taking in a large chunk of West Devon and Dartmoor before coming to Crediton.

The Tour of Britain cycle race last went through the town in September 2011 and thousands of people, including hundreds of students from Queen Elizabeth's Academy, Crediton, as well as shopkeepers, works and town residents lined the streets to watch.

A sprint stage was then part of the race in Western Road, Crediton.