THE TOUR de France could return to Kent in 2006.

Kent County Council officials confirmed this week they have been in touch with Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, about hosting a stage of the world’s most famous cycle race.

Mr Livingstone and the Greater London Authority have asked tour organisers to bring at least one stage of the 2006 event to the capital.

KCC is keen to piggyback on the GLA bid. KCC leader Sandy Bruce-Lockhart said: “I would be very keen for Kent to host the Tour de France again.

“It was a great occasion last time and, like The Open, would attract a lot of people and be good for the county.”

The Tour de France was last in Kent in July 1994. It proved highly popular, with tens of thousands lining the route, and millions more watching on TV

Like the Open, the Tour brought extra business to the county and raised its international profile.