TWO cycling events will be taking place next month in memory of Olympic cyclist Sharon Laws.

The events will take place on Saturday, June 16 and Saturday, July 7 to honour the Sharon's memory, the cyclist who died in December 2017 aged 43 following a battle with cancer.

Sharon, who was from Bourton-on-the-Water, did a lot to raise the profile of cycling in the Cotswolds, including promoting the local leg of last year’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain.

She attended the Cotswold School in Bourton and as a result, the school is organising the Sharon Laws Sportive in association with British Cycling.

The 43 mile route, one mile for every year of Sharon’s life, will take place on Saturday, July 7, starting and ending in Bourton.

Proceeds will be divided equally between Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and the Cotswold School.

Principal of Cotswold School, Will Morgan said: "Sharon was a lovely lady, a fantastic cyclist and good friend of the School. We are delighted to be holding this event, in our 30th year, but we hope to hold it as an annual event, as a long-lasting tribute to Sharon."

Cotswold District Council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Chris Hancock, added: "Sharon played a huge part in the success of the Cotswolds leg of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain last year and clearly inspired many youngsters to get involved in cycling.

"As a tribute to her, It is with great pleasure we can announce that Sharon’s Mum Joy Laws will unveil a plaque at Bourton’s Everyone Active leisure centre on the morning of the Sportive.

"In addition, the council will arrange for two of Sharon’s signed shirts to be framed to mark her achievements."

Stage four of the Women’s Tour of Britain hits the Cotswolds on June 16, and this will be dedicated to the memory of Sharon Laws.

Mick Bennett, the Women’s Tour of Britain race director, said: “Like everyone we were deeply saddened by the loss of Sharon in December last year. She lit up the first two editions of the race and returned in 2017 to add her expert analysis to the ITV4 commentary, and we would like to dedicate this stage to her.”

Sharon was part of the 2008 Summer Olympics cycling team in Beijing and also won the British National Time Trial Championships in the same year.

Other achievements include winning the Women’s 2012 Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge and 2012 British National Road Race Championships.