WEM cyclo-cross star Isaac Vickery has received some helpful advice for his future from one of the sport's local legends.

Last week Isaac met Doug Booker of Bronington, a professional cyclist in the mid 1950s and winner of the final stage of the 1955 Tour of Britain.

Doug, 84, gave Isaac some helpful tips, as well as presenting him with a special gift.

Doug handed Isaac a pair of leather cycling shoes, which he himself had received from cycling legend Reg Harris.

In his day Doug was a professional cyclist for the Viking Team at the same time as being an apprentice builder.

Dring his time at the top he trained by riding 2.5 hours to his apprenticeship and 2.5 hours back after a day's work.

Just like Isaac, Doug liked to race his bike off-road but in that period it was not known as cyclo-cross, but as 'rough riding'.

Doug won the first ever rough rider race staged by The British League of Racing, on the difficult snow covered bridle paths in the Derwent Dams area of Derbyshire.

As well as off-road, Doug was also adept on the tarmac, especially up hill.

He was the 1953 and 1954 National Hill Climb Champion, both times riding up Snake Pass faster than anyone else.

However crowning glory on a bike was to win the final stage of the Tour of Britain – the 123.5 miles from Bournemouth to London – in 1955.

After his final stage win Doug was asked to attend his local Odeon Theatre in Sale near Manchester, where he was presented with the news reel of himself triumphantly crossing over the finishing line before a large audience watching it on the big screen.

Doug was presented the news reel by Britain's then greatest cyclist, Reg Harris, a household name in the 1940s and 1950s.

Harris won five world sprint titles, two Olympic silver medals and broke several world records.

But on that day Reg Harris also gave Doug a pair of his leather cycling shoes which had been made by hand in Milan.

It was these shoes that Doug presented to Isaac, while telling him to "never let the legs rest" – the motto of Italian Fausto Coppi, 'The Campionissimo', or Champion of Champions.

Isaac's dad Richard said his son was delighted to hear from Doug.

"Isaac was inspired and very grateful but I also think Doug was very touched that Isaac even wanted to come and see him and listen to his stories," said Richard.

"I hope Isaac will take his advice and go on to be a champion one day too."