The inclusion of east Suffolk in the UK’s first ever international women’s cycling tour is hoped to bring a “massive boost” for the region.

Felixstowe will host Stage Three of the 2014 Women’s Tour, concluding in Clacton on Friday, May 9, with exact details of the route to follow.

“This is great news for Felixstowe,” said councillor TJ Haworth, Suffolk Coastal District Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for customers, communities and leisure.

“A lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes to attract this prestigious event to the area. Hopefully it will prove to be a massive boost, not only to Felixstowe but the entire District,”

The announcement means the region will feature prominently in the inaugural tour, with organisers having already confirmed that the final stage will run from Harwich to Bury St Edmunds on Sunday, May 11.

Ms Haworth hopes that hosting a prestigious event associated with an increasingly high profile sport will put Felixstowe and the wider area under the international spotlight,

“This event allows us to support our aim of encouraging people to have healthier lifestyles, while giving the tourist industry and profile of Felixstowe and the surrounding area a much-needed boost, opening the town up to a new audience and new type of tourist,” she said.

Organisers of the Women’s Tour said they were looking forward to working with partners in Suffolk and Essex to make both stages a success and a “real draw for spectators from the continent”.

Alan Goggin, cabinet member for tourism at Tendring District Council has added his support to the announcement.

“It should be a fantastic stage for the riders and the spectators alike and we now have two legs of the race where we are linking up with our Suffolk neighbours,” he said.

“This will be a great economic boost for both districts and The Women’s Tour can be assured of a very warm welcome.”

Though the exact route is yet to emerge, it is also expected to pass through Ipswich, where the council is keen to develop its image as a “leading centre for cycling”.

“We are resuming - and expanding - our partnership to bring more top cycling to the people if Ipswich and Suffolk,” said Alasdair Ross, Ipswich Borough Council’s deputy portfolio holder for culture and leisure.

“We are fast becoming a leading centre for cycling and I very much look forward to this event.”

The Women’s Tour, organised by SweetSpot Group, will take place over five states between Wednesday, May 7 and Sunday, May 11.