THE streets and landmarks of Kent will play host to the fifth stage of the Tour of Britain later this year.

Rochester Castle will provide the backdrop to the start of the 98-mile cycling race to Canterbury on Saturday, September 2, in one of the UK’s most watched sporting events.

The route, which was unveiled at Chatham Maritime on Tuesday, will also see some of the world’s top cyclists racing through Paddock Wood, Goudhurst, Sissinghurst, Tenterden, Hythe and Lyminge, before finishing in the historic Cathedral city of Canterbury.

The Kent stage is the fifth of six before the Tour ends in London.