Dartmouth is locked in a David and Goliath battle to win a major sailing coup which would also give the town a huge economic boost.

The town is in the running to host one of the legs of next year's La Solitaire du Figaro sail racing circuit which is expected to bring hundreds of top sailors, their back-up teams and the supporters who follow them to the port.

But Dartmouth is up against Plymouth which is also bidding to become the first UK port for many years to become a stop over point for the hugely popular French-run international sailing event.

Whoever wins will get the kudos and the cash for the four days that the contestants and their 45ft sailing boats will be in the harbour before setting out on the next section of the four-legged race covering a 1,800-mile course.

If Dartmouth wins it will also mean bringing the race to Kingswear sailing hero Henry Bomby's home port. The 22-year-old sailor has competed in the French race two years running and this year came in 24th out of 41 yachts.

Representatives from the race are due in Dartmouth on Monday next week to hold talks with various representatives – including the Royal Dart Yacht Club which is one of the driving forces behind the Dartmouth bid.

They will be there to see what the town can offer in the way of facilities for both the yachtsmen and their boats.

A spokesman for the Royal Dart Yacht Club stressed that nothing had yet been decided but added: 'It would be a major and prestigious event for Dartmouth.

'The yacht club is very interested in a visit from the Solitaire du Figaro and we are currently negotiating to see if we can bring it to the town.'

Next year will be the 44th year the international race has been competed for. As well as Dartmouth and Plymouth, St Helier on the Channel Islands is also vying for the UK leg of the racing.

The major event in the French sailing calendar takes place in June. If Dartmouth is chosen the stopover would consist of four days from June 11 to 14 which will give the crew time to rest and make any repairs needed for their boats.

It has also been suggested that the Britannia Royal Naval College could host a reception – as it did last year when the town hosted the J80 sail racing during which Dartmouth found room for 120 racing yachts and their crews.

The Royal Dart Yacht Club along with members of the business community and local councillors met with race officials for preliminary talks last week.

Dartmouth Business Forum chairman Paul Reach said it was hoped to find local sponsorship.

'It would bring visitors and publicity to the town,' he said. 'The publicity for the town would be phenomenal. This is a big thing in France and there are hours and hours of coverage on TV.'

He also stressed that things are at their 'early stages' at the moment and that assessors would be in the town on Monday to ' have a look at the town and its facilities'.

He added: 'We would have to show that we could cater for them, provide sleeping accommodation and facilities for the maintenance of the boats.'

Dartmouth district councillor Hilary Bastone said: 'I think it is a magnificent idea and would be a great benefit for Dartmouth.

'A year ago we had the J80 world championships here and what a great success that was and what great benefits it brought to the town. I can't see that Dartmouth cannot do the same again.'

Henry Bomby said: 'This is obviously a very exciting opportunity for the town and I am working hard at the moment to try to make it happen.

'This race will be a similar level to that of the Tour of Britain cycling race which came here last year.

'The racing is followed massively in France and should provide a great influx of tourism while the race is here due to a lot of promotion of it.'