In 1987, Ipswich town centre ground to a halt when to welcome The Milk Race - the most prestigious cycling event of its time in the British calendar.

Ipswich Star: One of the riders gets help to resecure his chainOne of the riders gets help to resecure his chain (Image: Archant)

It was a huge day for the town with the event, which ran every year between 1958 and 1993, attracting some of the most successful road cyclists.

Ipswich Star: Before the town centre was pedestrianised - the Milk Race heads down Tavern StreetBefore the town centre was pedestrianised - the Milk Race heads down Tavern Street (Image: Archant)

Named after main sponsor the Milk Marketing Board, the 1987 event was formed of 12 stages and kicked off in Newcastle before visiting locations such as Lincoln, Birmingham and Leicester before the last leg in London.

Ipswich Star: Crowds lined the streets when the Milk Race visited Ipswich in 1987Crowds lined the streets when the Milk Race visited Ipswich in 1987 (Image: Archant)

The stages in Ipswich lasted two days, starting in Peterborough and finishing in Ipswich. It was won by Belarusian Igor Sumnikov.

Ipswich Star: The winner of the Ipswich stage of the 1987 Milk Race, John HeretyThe winner of the Ipswich stage of the 1987 Milk Race, John Herety (Image: Archant)

These pictures show the second day, which was held solely in Ipswich. The daily race was won by British cyclist John Herety. The overall winner of the 1987 event was Malcolm Elliott, who won the first five stages.

Ipswich Star: John Herety on the final stretch of Milk Race in IpswichJohn Herety on the final stretch of Milk Race in Ipswich (Image: Archant)

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Ipswich Star: Competitors in the Milk Race turning onto Tavern Street in IpswichCompetitors in the Milk Race turning onto Tavern Street in Ipswich (Image: Archant)