BUSINESSES who went the extra mile in decorating their premises for the recent UCI Road World Championships have been recognised for their efforts.

A total of 53 shops and businesses embraced the spirit of the Championships when it visited Northallerton last month.

They decorated their windows with bunting, flags, flowers, knitted rainbow jerseys, bikes and other items to depict one of the nations which took part in the elite competition.

The businesses also displayed a rainbow-coloured bike decoration given to them by Hambleton District Council which organised the best-dressed competition with Northallerton Town Council and Northallerton BID.

Hutton Flowers was named the overall winner with Zetland Winestore taking the top prize for the independent retailer.

The Potting Shed, which adopted Australia and whose decorations included a large inflatable crocodile climbing up the building, won the best dressed chain retailer, whilst Colin Hutson Accounting Limited finished top of the business services.

The UCI championships were beamed to a global audience of tens of millions of cycling fans and despite the rain causing some disruption, including the diversion of the route in Swaledale, the event was hailed a huge success.

Speaking on the day the elite men’s time trial started from Northallerton, district council leader Mark Robson said he was delighted with the way the community embraced the occasion.

He said: “All the businesses pulled together, 53 businesses entered the best dressed competition, everybody pulled together and what a showcase for Northallerton it is.”

District Council Vice Chairman, Cllr Michael Barningham, presented all the winners with a certificate and a specially-created wooden trophy bearing the message ‘Northallerton Welcomes the World’.