CYCLISTS will race up a Dorset hill in an event backed by the company which propelled the site to TV fame.

Bread makers Hovis, whose ‘Boy on a Bike’ advert almost 40 years ago was filmed at Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, is sponsoring the Gold Hill Honk on June 12.

A group of 120 cyclists from across the country will tackle the hill’s 200-metre ascent in a bid to win a supply of bread for one year and other prizes.

Cyclists will be challenged to an out-of-the-saddle sprint in a bid to reach the summit in the fastest time.

Event organiser Colin Dennis said: “After seeing the uphill struggle of the Hovis delivery boy in the advert from the 1970s, I thought Gold Hill lent itself perfectly to hosting a modern-day cycling challenge.

“Ahead of the Olympics next year, what better than an iconic race in- conjunction with Hovis who put the area on the map in the first place?” Entry is £6.

People interested in taking part should apply online by May 31 at shaftesburycyclerevival.co.uk