Bury St Edmunds is set to welcome the world’s top women cyclists with an evening of free entertainment in Charter Square today including a performance by sporting soprano Laura Wright.

Between 2pm and 4pm at the Arc shopping centre people will be able to test their cycling performance on a Watt Bike, make a drink on a pedal-powered smoothie bike, race Scalextric cars around a track using only pedal power and take part in a virtual race on the roller cycles.

At 5.20pm Miss Wright will open the team presentation event for the 2015 Aviva Women’s Tour on stage in Charter Square and will perform two numbers.

From 5.30pm onwards teams will be appearing on stage to be introduced to the crowds.

As each team is presented on stage, pupil representatives from 16 Bury St Edmunds primary schools will show their ‘adopted’ teams the good luck banners they have made.

Celebratory artwork from middle and upper schools in the town will provide a colourful backdrop.

Joanna Rayner, St Edmundsbury Borough Council cabinet member for leisure and culture said: “This will rank as one of the most memorable events to be held in Bury St Edmunds.

“Cycling is such an open sport – and an opportunity to be so close to its stars is inspiring. It captures imaginations and the possibilities are limitless.”

Sarah Howard, chair of Abbeycroft Leisure, which has worked with the council to organise the Bury event, said: “There has never been a better time to get involved in cycling.

“Women and girls are owning it, giving it an inclusive, social atmosphere. There are hundreds of things going on during the Suffolk Year of Cycling for everyone to choose from. They say you never forget how to ride a bike, well this is the year to prove it.”