The future of a major Perthshire cycling event will be debated by councillors later this week.
The Etape Caledonia will be held on May 10 and officials have been asked to give the green light to the necessary road closures for the next five years.
The 81-mile race, which begins in Pitlochry, requires a rolling programme of closures and reopenings throughout.
Since its beginning in 2007, the number of participants in the event has risen by more than 400%, the majority of them coming from outside Perth and Kinross, and it is estimated that the Etape generates more than £1.1 million for the economy in the area.
A report to go before councillors states: “It is recommended that the council gives its approval to the principle of the road network being used for the Etape Caledonia for a further five years from 2015, up to and including 2020.”
If granted, the permission would be subject to conditions placed upon the organiser, IMG Challenger World.
It would have to pay the costs of applying for a temporary traffic restriction order (TTRO); meet the council to review relevant procedures; and give local firms the chance to provide services for the event.
After five years, the council proposes to make a further review of the event.
Councillors will be asked to vote on the matter at a meeting of the enterprise and infrastructure committee on Wednesday.
The 2015 Etape Caledonia is already expected to be a success, with 8% of the participants being drawn from Scotland’s health care professions.
NHS Scotland workers from across the country have agreed to take part in the event, which is raising funds for Marie Cure Cancer Care. Among them is GP Liz Phillips, who rides a 30-mile round trip to her surgery each day.
She said: “The Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia has an incredible atmosphere, with the whole town of Pitlochry getting involved. It really makes me feel proud to live in Perth and Kinross.”
Jamie Hepburn, Scotland’s minister for sport, health improvement and mental health, added: “Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia is fast becoming one of Scotland’s top sports participation events and its growing success is a sign of how popular cycling has become.”