RESIDENTS across Hambleton are being encouraged to park up their cars and put the rubbish on hold as the district prepares for the UCI World Road Cycling Championships.

In Northallerton a special video has been launched by the town's Business Improvement District working with Hambleton District and Northallerton Town council's to capture the excitement of welcoming the world to the biggest sporting event in the town's history. The Men Elite Individual Time Trial is being held in Northallerton on September 25 before heading through Bedale to Masham and Harrogate.

The three-minute film showcases decorations being put up by shops and businesses to celebrate the arrival of the Championships and to encourage people to leave their cars at home and travel by train and bike as North Yorkshire’s county town prepares for the arrival of thousands of visitors from around the globe.

The 'Northallerton Welcomes the World' video follows the journey rail travellers take from the station to the town-centre and shows business owners and staff proudly waving flags of some of the 40 countries expected to take part in the Elite Individual Time Trial.

Final shots feature professional bike tricks rider and local lad Joe Prattley performing in front of the Town Hall watched by Mayor of Northallerton Cllr John Forrest, Chairman of Hambleton District Council Cllr Kevin Hardisty and Hambleton Portfolio Holder for Leisure Bridget Fortune.

"It’s a fun way to show off all the great work Northallerton is doing to prepare for the World Championships," said BID Manager Graham Bell. "You can sense the excitement building in the town." Cllr Fortune added: "The people of Northallerton are really embracing this exciting event, with less than three weeks to go it is wonderful to see shops and businesses 'dressing' for the race. We hope this film encourages lots of people to choose our market town to watch the world’s top cyclists."

Bin collections across Hambleton have been cancelled on September 25.