ARTISTS and musicians are being encouraged to bid for grants to celebrate the Tour de Yorkshire coming to Middlesbrough.

Tees Valley Community Foundation has now joined forces with Middlesbrough Council to offer £10,000 to support a minimum of ten groups to deliver projects in and around the Middlesbrough stage when it rolls into town on Sunday, May 1.

The town will host the ‘roll-out’ for the stage, which will see the peloton make its way past a series of local landmarks – including Centre Square, Teesside University Campus Heart, Albert Park and Stewart Park - before the racing proper gets under way on the outskirts of town. Full details of the route will be published shortly.

Grants of £1,000 are available to support groups to celebrate the road race. Applications can be submitted by constituted groups based in Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley.

Tees Valley Community Foundation grants officer Sarah Hodgson said: “Playing host to the Tour de Yorkshire is a fantastic opportunity for Middlesbrough, and it’s our chance to showcase everything that’s great about the area to a huge audience.

“These grants are designed to help local groups and organisations do just that, helping to bring extra atmosphere to the event and ensuring it’s a day to remember for all involved.

“Successful applications could be for anything from providing arts activities such as music or dance shows along the race route to creating inspiring decorations and artworks.”

Applications can be submitted at any time before the closing date of Thursday, February 18 and a panel will meet to make final decisions on Thursday, February 25.

Successful projects will be invited to start on Tuesday, March 1 and end on Friday, September 30.

For more information and an application form, visit www.teesvalleyfoundation.org