Cyclists and television viewers around the world will have been inspired by the scenery, dramatic coastlines and the historic towns of Powys, says a mid Wales tourism group.

Stage four of the famous Tour of Britain cycling race, which attracts the world’s best cyclists, began in Aberaeron, travelled north along the Ceredigion coastline to Aberystwyth and then headed east along the Dyfi Estuary to Machynlleth.

The organisation that promotes Mid Wales as a tourism destination for visitors said that the images beamed around the world from the AJ Bell Tour of Britain were a "fantastic advertisement" for the region.

Machynlleth based MWT Cymru represents more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Ceredigion, Powys and the Meirionnydd region of Gwynedd.

Chief executive, Val Hawkins said: “Attracting major events like the AJ Bell Tour of Britain and, in the past, the Wales Rally GB, is great for showcasing Mid Wales to the world and we hope they will want to return.

"Our beautiful region has so much to offer visitors in terms of quality places to stay, see and visit and it is becoming an increasingly popular destination for cyclists who enjoy both on and off road cycling.

"We seek to promote Mid Wales as an authentic destination where people from urban areas can re-energise in a real, inspiring and enriching environment.

"Thousands of visitors have discovered how great our region is this summer as a result of the staycation boom and, hopefully, the AJ Bell Tour of Britain will encourage many more to come and visit us."

After speeding down Heol y Doll and past Machynlleth's famous clock tower, the race headed north to Corris and Dolgellau before hugging the Mawddach Estuary to return to the coastline from Barmouth to Harlech, finishing at the Great Orme in Llandudno.

Race director Mick Bennett said he hoped the event would inspire the next generation of road cyclists in mid Wales.

"Stage Four of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain really showcased the scenery of Mid Wales and the helicopter shots of the Ceredigion coastline, in particular, were among some of the most beautiful we have seen on this year’s race," he said.

"We are sure that viewers across the UK and around the world will have been inspired by what they saw along the route, from dramatic coastlines to the beauty of the Dyfi Estuary and the historic towns that we passed through.

"Hopefully the AJ Bell Tour of Britain will inspire more people to come to Mid Wales with their bikes in the future."