A POPULAR cycle race will be re-introduced in Horwich this summer to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the Commonwealth Games.

The Carnival Road Race finished 12 years ago, but members of Horwich Cycle Club and the carnival committee have got together to organise the comeback event on Friday, June 21.

It is hoped the race could attract hundreds of entrants as well as spectators from all over the North-west to the town.

Organisers had to call a halt on the race after problems in getting permission to close the roads for the route, which traditionally started at the public hall in Lee Lane, before going along Crown Lane, Ramsbottom Road, Victoria Road and Church Street.

But they will be working with Bolton Council and the police to try to cause minimum disruption to traffic on the night of the race, which will also kick off the town's annual carnival weekend.

The race, which is likely to be about 10 laps of the route, will be open to all cyclists, but anyone wanting to take part must have a licence from the British Cycling Federation.

As well as being perfect timing for the Queen's Golden Jubilee and Commonwealth Games celebrations, the event will also mark the close of the National Bike Ride event.

It is hoped that sponsors will be found for the race and that a street collection on the evening can be held for the carnival charity fund.

Carnival organiser Barbara Ronson said: "There is still a lot of fine tuning to be done, but I think this will be a brilliant event for Horwich and should attract a lot of people." Neil Brown, vice president and life member of Horwich Cycling Club, said: "This is an ideal time to resurrect the race and I'm hopeful that it will become an annual event again."