THE SUN was shining down on Barnsley Town Hall as the Tour de Yorkshire began this morning.

The second stage of the women’s race, a 124 km stretch which starts at the Town Hall and ends at the Cow and Calf rocks, Ilkley set off at 9am.

Mayor of Barnsley Coun Jeff Ennis cut the ribbon to launch the race, which saw crowds gather in the town centre and along the route which heads through Worsbrough, through the Cote de Blacker Hill, Hoyland, Wentworth, Swinton and more.

The men’s race departs at 2.20pm this afternoon from outside the Town Hall with the mayor making an opening speech at 1pm.

Through the rest of the day, singer Kieran La Fox is performing at Mandela Gardens at 11am.

Spark! drummers are performing outside the town hall and Barnsley Rock Choir are performing in Mandela Gardens at 11am too.

Street theatre performers The Boulderers are performing at 11.45am at Mandela Gardens, and Boogie Storm stormtrooper dance troupe will be dancing at 12.30pm outside the Town Hall.

Star Wars characters are with an X-Wing at the market square throughout the day to celebrate both May The Fourth Star Wars Day and the May The Force Be With You exhibition at Experience Barnsley Museum.