A CYCLE race and exhibitions on Cecil Beaton are taking place in the Chalke Valley this year to help support local tourism and businesses.

The South West Wiltshire Area Board has committed funding for exhibitions on Beaton, who lived and worked in the Chalke Valley for much of his life, to be held at Wilton House and Salisbury Museum.

The board granted £5,000 to the museum to assist with marketing costs for the exhibition, which can only go ahead with external funding.

At its December meeting, the board also granted £5,000 to create Discover Chalke Valley, a website that will promote businesses and provide walking, cycling and riding routes to encourage visitors to spend more time in the area.

The new site aims to be a key marketing tool, alongside Discover Nadder.

Cycle Wiltshire, a cycle race for elite athletes, will take place on May 4 out of Wilton and around the Chalke Valley.

• The South West Wiltshire Area Board is looking for volunteers who can help with the local rights of way improvement programme.

There are two sessions being held at Dinton Village Hall today, from 4pm to 5pm and 6.30pm to 7.30pm, for people to find out more. Those who would like to attend are asked to sign up at eventbrite.co.uk/south-west-wiltshire-public-rights-of-way-improvement-programme.