As Italian Vincenzo Nibali powered his way to victory in the Tour de France on Sunday, a group of Devizes cyclists were taking things rather more easy.

Devizes Town Cycling Club was celebrating its first anniversary with a barbecue at the Southgate Pub and members enjoyed watching the final stage of the race with a drink in their hands.

Before then, around 30 club members had taken to the roads of the town wearing the club colours of blue and red after posing for a team picture at the Ruth Pierce memorial in the Market Place.

Club chairman Billy Dyer, a keen triathlete, is delighted with the way the first year has gone for the club and he hopes interest will grow when the Tour of Britain passes through Devizes on Friday, September 12.

Mr Dyer said: “The support from local cyclists has been incredible. Several towns around Wiltshire have cycling clubs and we were convinced that there was sufficient interest around Devizes to support a more local club.

“This belief has been confirmed and the way our membership continues to grow is really encouraging. We look forward to extending our membership and programme of activities in the coming years ”

The Tour of Britain will arrive in Devizes via Seend at about 11.15am and go up Caen Hill to arrive in New Park Street before 11.30am.

Last year the event was won by Sir Bradley Wiggins after his success in the Tour de France in 2012, followed by Olympic gold in the time trial.

But those wanting to join Devizes Town Cycling Club do not need to have Olympic potential. Mr Dyer said it was aimed at promoting all levels of cycling from beginners to seasoned racers.

Its member have taken part in events across the country and last year the club held a Get To Know Your Bike Day so cyclists could learn about bike maintenance.

Mr Dyer said: “The club has a weekly programme of rides, which include an intensive training ride on Thursday evenings, a team leisure ride on Saturday morning and a longer and more challenging ride on Sunday morning.

“In addition, club members regularly meet up for rides on an impromptu basis. In the future, the club plans to organise trips to cycling venues such as the Newport velodrome to allow members the chance to try things we usually only see on television.”

For more information on the club, go to the website www.devizestowncycling.co.uk