The big day has arrived as the 2008 Tour of Britain South-West stage powers into action today.

Nearly 100 world-class athletes will be cycling through Hemyock for stage three of the event and activities and entertainment will be on offer to the many spectators expected to cheer on the cyclists.

Beijing Olympics gold medallists Geraint Thomas and Bradley Wiggins are expected to tackle the tough route of hills and dips across the backdrop of the South-West’s beautiful landscape.

The event starts in Chard and finishes in Burnham, passing over the Blackdowns, through Tiverton, across Exmoor before going through Bishops Lydeard, over the Quantock Hills before heading for Bridgwater.