The Aviva Women's Tour really captured the imagination of people in Harleston and Attleborough as hundreds lined the streets in the market towns.

In Harleston flags adorned the buildings along the high street and businesses displayed decorated bicycles out the front of their shops.

The riders were greeted cheering and applause -including the Harleston town crier Norman Steer waving his bell.

Also lining the streets were more than 300 pupils from Archibishop Sancroft High School, who were given time off lessons to watch the tour.

The school's headteacher Richard Cranmer said: 'It is a fantastic opportunity for our community to see world class athletes literally pass our door. For many of our students it will be the first time it will have been possible for them.'

Scores of people lined the streets in Attleborough to see the cyclists, and the central Queen's Square was decorated with bicycle wheels by local groups and businesses.

Cycling fans Brenda and Paul Aylott were there to watch the race.

Mr Aylott said: 'it's lovely to see them come through here. We really hope Marianne Voss does well because she's just coming back from an injury.'

Mrs Aylott said: 'We'd really like to see Lizzie Armitstead win, and let's hope she goes on to win at the Olympics.'

Paul Greaves, from Attleborough, said it meant a lot for the town to be part of such a big cycling event.

Mr Greaves said: 'This sort of thing helps to put the town on the map. Cycling has become very popular in Attleborough – I'd say it has increased tenfold from what it used to be.'