The man in charge of the Tour of Britain cycle race has said the stage through Macclesfield was the best the event has ever seen.

Thousands of people lined the streets in a carnival atmosphere in Macclesfield for the race which saw top international cyclists whizz along the town’s streets and lanes.

The race dates back to the 50s and has existed in various guises over the years but is now the country’s biggest cycle race and free-to-spectate sporting event.

And the man in charge of the event, chief executive Hugh Roberts, has said the Cheshire East leg was the best the event has seen.

In Macclesfield, schoolchildren, businesses and neighbours did the town proud turning out to support the cyclists as they raced in stage three of the race which travelled through Prestbury, Bollington, Rainow, Macclesfield and the Cat and Fiddle.

Communities made decorations, painted orange bikes and waved flags in support and Macclesfield Community Artspace with Macclesfield Town Council and 160 girls from King’s School, created a piece of aerial art in the form of a massive bike wheel.

Chief executive Hugh Roberts has been among those to hail the event a success.

He said: “It’s been more than successful. I think we’ll look back on this day as probably one of the top days, if not the top day in the history of the Tour of Britain, for midweek certainly, at the weekend it’s a different story as schools can’t mobilise the children as easy as they do during the week.

“But in any event this has probably been the best stage we have ever witnessed in the Tour of Britain.”

Wilmslow-based Ian Stannard won the 11 mile which started in Congleton before heading to Tatton Park, Macclesfield and back to Tatton, against talents that included Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish.

Cheshire East leader Rachel Bailey said: “The whole event was an amazing, joyful and exciting spectacle and it was fantastic to see so many communities really getting into the spirit.

“I think we’ve really set the gold standard for future Tour stages to emulate.

“To see so many top athletes cycling through our communities and beautiful countryside was an inspiration.

“I’m delighted the council was successful in bringing the Tour of Britain to the borough.”