CLYDEBANK will welcome around 10,000 visitors when it hosts the start of one of the most famous car rallies in the world next year.

The Monte Carlo Rally, a 15,000-mile trip to the south of France, is expected to generate an economic boost to the town.

Bailie Denis Agnew, chairman of the cultural committee, which heard details of the event on Monday, said: “This will showcase West Dunbartonshire and Clydebank at its best.

“It will generate a lot of income for the local community through hotels and businesses and give the area a much needed cash injection.”

The event, organised each year by the Automobile Club de Monaco, will set off from Aurora Avenue, adjacent to the Clydebank Leisure Centre, on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

West Dunbartonshire Council gave the go-ahead for the event to be staged in Clydebank when the cultural committee met on Monday and agreed to fund it through the cultural budget.

In 2012, the council hosted the start of the Monte Carlo Rally from Clydebank Waterfront. The event attracted 14,000 visitors to the area and was deemed a major success by both the organisers and the council.

This year, the rally returned with a pit stop in Dalmuir Park.

Following the success of the 2018 event, an approach was made to the council to host the main starting event for the 2019 rally. Councillors gave the application their unanimous backing.

Ronnie Dinnie, the council’s strategic lead for environment and neighbourhood, told the committee: “The location of the start would require to be secured from general traffic on the morning prior to the event. The official start time of the vehicle departure would be 6pm and the cars would be available for viewing from 3.30pm onwards.

“Given the international nature and coverage this event generates, anticipated visitor numbers could be in the thousands. An important part of the controls that would be in place would be to restrict public vehicle access into Cart Street and associate car parking in the area.”

Councillors were told that the management cost payable to the Monte Carlo Rally organisers is £5,000.

Mr Dinnie added: “The cost to the council to deliver the event plan including publicity, statutory notices, first aid, toilet provision, participant hospitality, room hire and a contingency sum would be in the region of £16,500. This would make a combined cost to the council of £21,500.”

There will be an attempt to offset costs by attracting sponsorship for the event.