Tour de France: 'No more cash' for Yorkshire Grand Depart

The Tour de France will start in Yorkshire in 2014

Yorkshire is to be given "no more money" by government for hosting the Grand Depart of the 2014 Tour de France, the minister for sport says.

The county beat off rival bids from Florence and Edinburgh to host two stages of the race next July.

The government has provided a £10m budget, but police said their share of the money would not cover costs.

Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said it was a "very generous grant" and more than what was given to other events.

Earlier in the month, North Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan said the six-figure sum allocated for policing could leave her with a £1m bill.

During a visit to Leeds on Tuesday, Mr Robertson said the budget had been agreed and no more money would be allocated.

"If you look at the money given to comparable events such as the Rugby League World Cup, that's about half-a-million pounds, £10m is a very generous grant from central government that will enable Yorkshire to run an absolutely fantastic event next year.

"I'm confident that everybody here is focused on delivering a fantastic event for the county for cycling and for this country's sporting reputation."

The first stage of the race will take riders through the Yorkshire Dales to Harrogate, while day two will start in York and end in Sheffield.

Event co-ordinator TDF 2014 Ltd said it was in talks with police forces.

Tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire's chief executive Gary Verity, said: "In just over nine months' time the world's leading cyclists will be lining up in Leeds for the start of what will undoubtedly be one of the proudest moments in Yorkshire's sporting history.

"We expect millions of people to be lining the roadside creating an atmosphere not seen before in the UK.

"Yorkshire is proud to be playing such a pivotal part in this global sporting event, the county will be ready to welcome the world and to host an unforgettable Grand Départ."