AFTER a hiatus of six years mountain-biking's Enduro World Series is set to return to the forests of the Tweed Valley.

The biggest names in the sport compete for the coveted titles each year at iconic destinations around the globe.

And as part of the eight-race global series in 2021, the Tweed Valley will host one of the rounds

During the weekend of May 15 and 16 next year around 400 riders from 35 different countries, as well as their support crews, will wheel into Peebles and Innerleithen.

And they will be followed by thousands of spectators.

Not only is the Tweed Valley inclusion a feather in the cap for the sport in the Borders, but also a massive boost for local businesses.

Recently formed community interest company Hub Events is hosting the Enduro World Series during the May weekend.

A local organising committee, which includes cycling and community groups, Tweed Valley Tourism BID, Scottish Borders Council, Forest and Land Scotland, Event Scotland, Dmbins, and EWS, has also been formed to make sure the global event runs smoothly.

Pauline Archibald from The Hub on the High Street in Innerleithen, along with Carmel Walsh, and Emma Guy from the Tweed Valley Tourism BID set up Hub Events in an effort to attract more events to the Tweed Valley.

Pauline told us: “To be in a position to host a round of the Enduro World Series in the Tweed Valley is hugely exciting and an endorsement of how special the Tweed Valley area is.

"We want to make sure the event has a positive impact on the local area which is why we felt strongly that a community interest company in partnership with local groups should be at the heart of delivering the event.

“It’s the only UK round and one of only eight internationally so a huge opportunity to showcase our area all over the world.

“We are keen to involve all aspects of the community and have some exciting plans to welcome visitors from all over the world.

"This is a great opportunity to highlight not just the Tweed Valley but the whole of the South of Scotland so that once visitors have experienced our area and the people who live and work here they will want to come back again. It’s very much a team effort and the local people that are involved are all passionate about the area and delivering an event that visitors will remember.”

The Tweed Valley will also act as the first round of the e-bike 2021 EWS-E Series.