The Dorset leg of the prestigious Tour of Britain cycle event - due to start in West Bay on Saturday morning - has been cancelled as a mark of respect following the death of the Queen.

Following the death of Her Majesty, there had been uncertainty about stage seven of the race in Dorset on Saturday after Friday's stage six (Tewkesbury to Gloucester) was called off.

Organisers were due to decide decide whether the Dorset leg and Sunday's finale on the Isle of Wight will go ahead as planned.

However in an updated statement, organisers said: "Further to the earlier statement in relation to the cancellation of stage six as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, the organisers of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain can additionally confirm that stages seven (Dorset) and eight (Isle of Wight) will not take place.

"This decision has been taken in consultation with stakeholders and partners in light of operational circumstances, including the understandable reassignment of police resource at this time.

"Therefore, the final standings will be taken following the conclusion of stage five on Thursday 8 September. The winner of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain 2022 will be Gonzalo Serrano (Movistar Team).

"Additionally, the respective classification leaders – Tom Pidcock (Dodl by AJ Bell points), Mathijs Paasschens (ŠKODA King of the Mountains) and Matthew Teggart (Sportsbreaks.com sprints) – will also be declared the winners of those competitions.

"The Tour of Britain organisation, alongside the teams, riders and officials involved in the event, send their deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time."

The event was due to be a major spectacle with crowds urged to come out and cheer some of the world's finest cyclists.

All the action was due to be filmed live for ITV4 with a helicopter following the competitors.

The peloton was due to start at The Esplanade on West Bay at 11am before whittling through 14 towns and villages over the course of a stage lasting four hours, ending in Ferndown.

In West Bay, the Wessex Military Band were due to perform with Bridport Mayor Ian Bark starting the race at 11am.

A number of road closures were due to be in place.