Newport Nocturne cycle race is saved

The Newport Nocturne cycle race will go ahead this year after a big-money sponsor stepped forward to rescue it at the 11th hour.

Race bosses were ready to cancel the bi-annual floodlit event, which costs £24,000 to stage, until they received a five-figure pledge from an unnamed benefactor.

Now organisers face a hectic eight weeks as they look to get everything in place for the race on September 1, which is likely to attract about 15,000 spectators.

Nick Jeggo, event organiser, said: "We had cancelled it but we just hadn't announced it yet. Then I was called out to a meeting and managed to tie up a deal for a main sponsor.

"We still need more sponsors but we now know that we can put the race on.

"We've got eight weeks to do it. That will be the shortest time we've had as it normally takes months.

"I have been working flat out since the money came in."

Bookings for barriers and lighting had been cancelled and have had to be re-sourced since the five-figure windfall.