HUNDREDS of people lined the route of the Tour of Britain as some of the world's top cyclists passed through our area today.

After setting off from Frome at 10.15am, the race made its way to Wedmore and Bridgwater before a King of the Mountain stage at Cothelstone Hill.

It then headed through Cotford St Luke to Wiveliscombe, where pupils from the town's primary school and Kingsmead Community School turned out in forced alongside scores of locals.

The riders then cycled to Dulverton via Devil's Elbow and are expected to cross the finishing line in Bideford around 3pm today.

Look out for a selection of photos of today's action - click on the link below - and a video news report.

Somerset County Council, which organises the South-West stages of the tour, says a record number of people turned out to line Somerset and Devon roads today.

Stage six, which started in Frome, saw young Norwegian cycling sensation, Edvald Boasson Hagen, 22, of Team Columbia-HTC win the stage, his fourth in a row.

Belgium’s Thomas De Gendt, racing with Topsport Vlaanderen, won maximum points in both the King of the Mountain and Sprints. It was the first of two South-West stages.

Tomorrow the riders face the prospect of another gruelling day with Hagen wearing the Yellow Jersey, eight points ahead of his nearest competitor.

The 159km ride from Hatherleigh to Yeovil will see the riders tackling another three King of the Mountain climbs and three more Sprints as they head from Devon back into Somerset.

The sunshine brought out tens of thousands of people across the route, which wound its way across Somerset before finishing in Bideford, Devon.

Hundreds of schoolchildren, armed with Somerset County Council ‘thundersticks’ created a huge amount of noise, giving a loud West Country welcome to the competing cyclists.

Cllr David Huxtable, cabinet member for resources at Somerset County Council, said: “Somerset County Council have sponsored the Tour of Britain from 2007 to 2011 in an effort to boost the local economy and to promote cycling as a fun and healthy activity.

"Today's race went really well and I am looking forward to watching the riders cross the line at the finish in Yeovil tomorrow.”

Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “I’m sure everyone who watched today’s race will agree that the atmosphere was incredible.

"We’re delighted that such a prestigious event has come to Devon, and even more so that it’s here for two days.

Judging by the crowds at Bideford, this will hopefully have been a bumper day for businesses across the region.

"We’re looking forward to more of the same tomorrow, and next year.”

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