Woking may have to scrap the final

stage of Tour of Britain Series cycling event due to cuts.

In June 2010, around 15,000 turned out

to see the final of the Tour series; Woking also hosted one of the

legs of the Tour in 2009.

The event also aims to encourage people

to take up cycling and falls in line with Cycle Woking, a scheme that

the council has been pushing for some time now.

It is also a financially rewarding

event – last year saw a £400,000 net benefit to the town.

"The council really wants this

event to take place," said Woking Borough Council chief

executive Ray Morgan.

"But in these difficult times it

would find it difficult to put that type of money into it while there

are severe limitations on public spending."

£50,000 is needed to fund the stage

but the Woking Borough Council has said that they can't afford it and

have instead appealed for business sponsorship.

Louise Punter, of Surrey Chambers of

Commerce, said: “It is a good idea but I think that there isn't

that extra money in businesses to spend on additional activities.”

Are you saddened by this potential

cancellation? Have you been to any local Tour of Britain Series

events in Woking? Are you, on the other hand, pleased that the event

isn't coming to town? Leave your comments below.