Spectator tickets for York Le Tour snapped up in hours

It is the first time the Tour De France has visited the north of England

Free tickets enabling people to see the start of the Tour De France as it leaves York have all been taken within four hours of being made available.

The city council had released 20,000 tickets allowing access to York Racecourse where the route leaves on 6 July, heading for Sheffield.

Organisers said they would look to see if more places could be made available.

The first stage of the race, the Grand Depart, starts at Leeds Town Hall and finishes in Harrogate on 5 July.

A spokesman for the racecourse said places were still available in the hospitality areas, at a cost.

A statement on the racecourse website said: "After a period of review with the various partners we will see if additional capacity can be made available and be in a position to re-allocate any returns. An update on this will be provided on Monday 3 March."

The authority has also released details of Tour De France parking and three specially set up city campsites for visitors.

The race will continue from Cambridge to London on 7 July, prior to the French stages from 8 until 27 July.