Police Inspector Chris Chammings is championing a campaign to get the UK’s most prestigious cycle race to go through the centre of Bradford on Avon, rather than skirt around its edges.

The Tour of Britain is the UK’s biggest professional cycling race and stage six, on September 12, will see the world’s elite cyclists come to Bradford, as the stage speeds from Bath to Hemel Hempstead.

Insp Chammings, who joined Trowbridge Police Station last month, was involved with the security for the Olympic torch relay through Wiltshire and worked closely with Wiltshire Council’s events management team.

He recently got back in touch with the events team to try and get the Tour of Britain to come through the centre of Bradford, over the Town Bridge and out to Trowbridge, passing the town hall, before going on to Devizes.

Insp Chammings, a huge cycling fan, is hopeful of success.

He said: “Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council and Bradford on Avon Town Council are working together. The race organisers are going to drive the route as they have to make sure it is safe for the cyclists. It is looking fairly promising and we are waiting for updates.

“The Tour of Britain is now a higher level race. It has been upgraded, so more of the world’s top cyclists will be coming through the county.

“I am a huge cycling fan. We could showcase Bradford on Avon on national television. It would be a great event and be part of the Olympic legacy.

“The town is really close and people are up for making the most of it. This is something positive Bradford on Avon can build on.”

Insp Chammings has got the support of Bradford’s mayor John Potter, who is equally enthusiastic about cycling.

Mr Potter said: “The Inspector is very keen and we are very keen.

“It is all quite elaborate and would involve quite a lot of policing.

“It is a big and colourful event and it would be great to get them racing down Market Street and over the bridge.”