Chas Messenger, former Milk Race organiser and British road team manager, has died aged 94 after a period of ill health.

As a stalwart of the breakaway British League of Racing Cyclists, Chas, together with Peter Itter, the chairman of the racing committee of the establishment National Cycling Union, forged the links for the formation of today?s British Cycling Federation, including negotiations with the police constabularies for the holding of open road racing, which continues to this day.

Messenger always attended the two-day race named in his honour and was on the podium in May to assist in the prize giving at the Premier Calendar event.

A widower, he is survived by son Charles, daughter in law Christine, and adult grandsons Kieren and Nathan.

The funeral is at 12.45pm on Wednesday, August 6, at the South West Middlesex Crematorium, Hounslow Road, Hanworth, Feltham, Middlesex TW13 5JH, followed by an informal celebration of his life at the nearby Hanworth Navy Club, Park Road, TW13 6PP. Family flowers only, with donations welcome to the Dave Rayner Fund. www.daveraynerfund.com