ELITE athletes from across the world are set to return to Peeblesshire for a mountain bike festival this summer.

The Enduro World Series (EWS) was held in Innerleithen last year following a six-year hiatus.

And organisers want the event – which reportedly brought 15,000 people to the area last time out – to be “even bigger” this year.

Event director Emma Wadee said: “We can’t wait to bring EWS back to Innerleithen this summer.

“Our aim is to build on last year’s success to make EWS Tweed Valley one of Scotland’s best international events that celebrates the region and local community, as well as attracting visitors from around the world.”

Organisers say it will be a “weekend of racing, entertainment, live music, local food, kids events, ride outs, film nights and more”.

The festival is due to return on June 2 until June 5 this year.

Businesses and residents will receive communications about the event in the coming weeks, including letters and packs.

Meanwhile there is a planned ‘town hall’ event on Thursday, April 14 in the Union Club.

As well as attracting some of mountain biking’s top athletes, the festival could also give Peeblesshire businesses a major boost.

Ahead of last year’s event, council officers said that the biking spectacle could have an “economic impact of £1.5m for the area”.

Meanwhile, Enduro Sports Organisation – the company behind the EWS – is set to open its global headquarters in Innerleithen later this year.

It follows an extensive renovation of a property on the town’s Chapel Street.

From there, its growing team will coordinate the global race series, which has mountain bike events in over 70 countries.