The three-day extravaganza in July takes place across the resort and has a packed schedule.

Olympic silver medallist Chris Newton and Granada personality Fred Talbot will launch the event this weekend in an event dubbed “Strictly Come Cycling”.

It follows on from Blackpool’s successful Ride The Lights event, when hundreds of families took advantage of a closed Prom to cycle through the Illuminations, and the recent Tour of Britain where professional cyclists powered through the resort’s streets.

Leisure bosses are remaining tight-lipped about the event but say it will tap into a growing interest among Blackpool residents to saddle up.

Coun David Owen, cabinet member for Culture and Leisure, said: “This will be a fantastic day. We are working together to promote the benefits of cycling for everyone and our team shows what can be achieved.

“We have young riders with tremendous potential, led by Chris with all his experience, and we are going for Gold in the Beijing Olympics.

“This latest Cycling Fest will hopefully inspire residents of all experience and abilities to catch the cycling bug – as well as nurture top-class future cyclists.”

The launch event will give more details about what it entails as well as some practical cycling demonstrations, and special performances from local youngsters from high schools Bispham High and Palatine High.

Chris Newton, who won Bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and Silver at the 2004 Athens Games, will be on hand over the weekend to offer tips and support to any budding cyclists or sportsmen.

Ivor Armstrong, a cycling coach for Cycling Development North West which is working in conjunction with Blackpool Council, said: “The Cycle Fest is a fantastic opportunity to promote cycling locally, regionally and nationally

“We’re looking forward to getting the show on the road.”

The July event is organised by Blackpool Council and promises to be “three action-packed days of cycling activity for adults and children of all ages and abilities, elite and novice.”

The event will also mark the launch of the recycling.co.uk cycling team, one of Great Britain’s top professional racing teams which took part in the Tour of Britain last year

Coun Owen added: “This latest Cycling Fest will hopefully inspire residents of all experience and abilities to catch the cycling bug – as well as nurture top-class cyclists of the future.

“This is especially important as the UK prepares for the London 2012 Olympics.”

More details of events happening over the weekend will be released at the official launch party to be held at the Imperial Hotel, Blackpool Promenade on Friday.