A prestigious cycling event which will see the country's top male and female cyclists race around Aylsham will help put the market town on the map, according to organisers and business leaders.

From early evening on June 13, the UK's leading cyclists will battle it out around a 1.2-kilometre circuit of Aylsham's streets.

Starting with the Johnson Health Tech Grand Prix Series and followed by the Pearl Izumi Tour Series, cyclists will race along Norwich Road, Red Lion Street, through the Market Place, onto Penfold Street, down Cawston Road, along Mill Road and Palmers Lane, before completing a lap back on Norwich Road.

The hour-long races are set to provide exciting action as the cyclists, made up of riders from 10 different teams, negotiate the narrow streets and sharp corners. Riders will be seen hurtling around the circuit up to 40 times.

Aylsham will be the smallest town to ever host one of the Tour Series races - and it is hoped that people will flock to the town to make a day out of the host of activities planned.

Fiona Roberts, Norfolk County Council's event manager, said: 'The Tour Series will be brilliant for Norfolk and for Aylsham.

'It will continue the momentum we've built up with the Tour of Britain and we hope people will come to Aylsham – it's going to be an exciting day with children's activities, music, market craft, a farmers' market; there's going to be a real party atmosphere.

Kirstin Hughes, economic development manager at Broadland District Council, added: 'It's going to be a unique event. It's never been to Norfolk before and it's going to be the first time in a town of this size.

'It will help put Aylsham on the map and for people to see what a fantastic little town it is.'

Riders set to take part include Great Britain's Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy, Tour de France stage winner Magnus Backstedt and Dean Downing, who has won a number of rounds of the Tour Series and was part of the overall winning team in 2011.

In the women's race, last year's overall winner Annie Simpson is set to race, as is European cyclo-cross champion Helen Wyman, whose parents live in north Norfolk.

Members of the public, including children from the age of two, will also have the chance to take part in cycling-related activities, including mini and corporate races and mountain bike skills workshops. All the activities will kick off from 12.30pm on the day.

Deborah Blake, chairman of Aylsham Business and Enterprise Forum, said: 'It's going to be absolutely brilliant and it's a really exciting event that's going to happen. It's going to start the summer season off nicely, we can't wait.'

Peter Hodges, from Tour Series organisers Sweetspot, added: 'Aylsham is a fantastic choice. It's going to be a bit like Belgium where races take over a town or village and everyone comes out.'

The Tour Series is being organised locally by the county council and Broadland District Council, with sponsorship from Adnams.

The Aylsham stage will be the penultimate race of the series with Ipswich hosting the final day on June 14.