The Tour de France’s Le Grand Depart trophy visited the district today.

Pupils at Epping St John’s C of E in Bury Lane, Epping, managed to get their hands on the prize which is presented to the city or region which hosts the start of the race.

The trophy was presented for the first time last year to Corsica which hosted the start of the centenary tour.

The silverware was handed to the Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire at the end of last year’s race ahead of the start of this year’s race in Leeds on July 5.

Le Tour will come to Epping Forest on July 7 passing through Wiilingale, Fyfield, Moreton, North Weald and Epping before exiting the district on the Epping New Road en route to the Mall, London where the stage will finish.