British hopes in the Tour de France may be waning, but the event is set to help promising cyclists realise their dreams.

Former yellow jersey winner David Millar is struggling to repeat his success of last year, but is raising cash for a Shipley-based fund which enables young cyclists to compete abroad.

And a local florist is creating unique bouquets based on the leaders' racing gear to sell in aid of the charity.

The Dave Rayner Fund, named in memory of the Shipley cyclist who was fatally injured outside Maestro's nightclub in 1994, contributes to the living costs of UK athletes attempting to break into the professional circuit on the continent.

Launched the year after Mr Rayner's death, David Millar was the first to benefit, eventually gaining a place in the French team Cofidis and winning a time trials stage in the Tour de France last year.

David's sister, Fran Millar, said her brother was disappointed with his crashes in the race over the last three days, but was hoping to raise cash through sales of his merchandise.

"Ten per cent of the sales goes to the charity and he is hoping to raise about £600 by the end of the tour," she said.

"The Dave Rayner Fund was the best thing for him as he could not have left the UK to be in France without it. David very much wants to give something back and do what he can to help them."

The cyclist had auctioned off his yellow jersey to raise £1,000 for the fund, she added.

To coincide with this year's Tour de France, family friend and florist Howard Russell, pictured with Dave Rayner's mum Barbara, is also making up flower arrangements based on the four winning jerseys, from leader's yellow to King of the Mountains polka dot. Six pounds will be donated to the Dave Rayner Fund when orders worth more than £20 are received over the three-week period.

The late cyclist's father John said he was amazed at the longevity and success of the charity.

"This has superseded anything we could have dreamed of to keep Dave's name alive,'' he said.

Tour de France bouquets will be on sale from Elsie Russell on Westgate, Shipley, during the Tour de France race.