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Folkestone racecourse is set to cash in on the Tour de France cycle race's visit to the county by offering pitches for up to 500 caravans and 60 tents during the British stages of the event in July 2007.

Spokeswoman Emma Santer said it would be open from the 5 to 8 July with all the facilities on offer that would normally be open on a race day. 

The race starts with an 8km prologue in the capital but day two will see the 200 riders cycle out of London, passing through Dartford, Medway, Maidstone, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Ashford, and skirting Shepway before finishing in Canterbury. 

Hotels in the cathedral city have said they are already fully booked for the weekend of the race. 

It is estimated the cycle race could boost the Kent economy by up to £16m.