AMBITIOUS plans to bring the Tour de France to Lochwinnoch have been backed by Renfrewshire Council.

And the idea was born at Johnstone Town Hall, during a conversation with top cycling commentator Brian Smith.

As Castle Semple already hosts the Pedal in the Park sportive, it was thought appropriate to explore the possibility of the Grand Départ leaving from Lochwinnoch and then making its way across Renfrewshire before heading eastwards.

The idea was proposed by Renfrewshire councillors Andy Doig and Paul Mack, who hope to be re-elected as Independents in next week’s local authority elections.

Cllr Doig, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch, said: “I am so delighted that Renfrewshire Council has united as one to support the motion from myself and Councillor Mack to bring the opening stage of the Tour de France to Renfrewshire.

“When the Tour organisers came to Yorkshire in 2014, they said it was the warmest welcome they had ever had. I am sure Renfrewshire can match that.

“The whole idea for bringing the Tour to Renfrewshire was born last December, when my wife and I attended the 90th anniversary dinner of the Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club, in Johnstone Town Hall.

“By sheer co-incidence, we were sitting at the same table as Sky Sports cycling commentator Brian Smith, who started with the Johnstone Wheelers and ended up a professional cyclist with the Motorola team.

“I mentioned that I would love to bring the Tour to Renfrewshire and he encouraged me to take the idea further.

“I have always been ambitious to put Renfrewshire on the map, so I drafted the exploratory motion to full council.”

It is estimated that the Yorkshire economy gained by around £100 million when the Tour visited that area.

Cllr Doig’s next step is to talk to other local authorities, as well as the Scottish Government, to put a formal bid together for Lochwinnoch to stage the Grand Départ.

He said: “The idea of bringing the Tour to Renfrewshire stands on its own but it will be a brilliant prelude to our time as UK City of Culture in 2021 if we win that also.”