Tickets go on sale this weekend for a major festival tied in with the Tour de France.

And organisers of Le Tour Fest at Lockwood Park, Huddersfield, are confident it will bring huge crowds to the town.

The three-day festival based at Huddersfield Rugby Union Club is expected to draw thousands of visitors.

More than 20 bands will be appearing over the course of the weekend and up to 2,000 people are expected to camp out on the fields. Up to 6,000 could turn up on day tickets.

The site is just yards from Bridge Street which is on the route of the Tour de France Grand Depart.

The world’s top cyclists will race along Bridge Street through Lockwood on their way from Huddersfield to Holme Moss on July 6.

Festival organiser Donal O’Driscoll said: “The first tickets go on sale this Saturday at noon for the Le Tour Music Festival at Lockwood Park.

“The 24-acre home of Huddersfield Rugby Union has been chosen by the organisers, Festival Stage Events, due to its large size, proximity to rail stations, and being right next to the route on day two of the Tour de France.

“The venue also offers luxury camping and a secure cycle lockup.

“The initial batch of ticket sales will be discounted, some heavily. It would mean that a day visitor to the festival could be there for £36 while someone camping in a group at the site for the full three days could pay as little as £76.

“We are confident there will be a big demand. We know the Tour de France is going to attract a huge number of visitors and accommodation is bound to be an issue.

“We have liaised with health and safety people and can accommodate 2,000 people in tents with up to a further 6,000 day visitors who want to go to the music festival.

“We are actively looking at promoting the festival not only across the UK but abroad as well and we are looking at converting the website into a French version.

“It will be great to get people not only from other parts of the UK but also from abroad to showcase the best of Yorkshire”.

Mr O’Driscoll has organised several Crown of Lights music events in Heckmondwike and has teamed up with New Mill sound expert and promoter Darren Hollingworth to put on the three- day sports and live music extravaganza.

The site will be transformed into a village providing parking, camping, food and drink. There will be hot showers, saunas and a gym.

Promoters claim the event will host some of the very best live music that West Yorkshire can offer with 20 bands and artists already secured.

A huge LED screen will be used to show every bit of the demanding Yorkshire stages of the Tour de France. and in the evenings an on site film crew will project all the live music onto the huge screen.

For details visit www.TourFest.co.uk