When legendary boxer Sir Henry Cooper opened shops in Suffolk

Henry Cooper at Boots Store in Bury in October 1978 (Image: Archant)

The hugely popular personality visited Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds several times over the years to open shops - and, if you were one of those queuing up to meet him and get his autograph, you might be in our nostalgic photo gallery.

Boxer Henry Cooper was in Ipswich to open the Budgen supermarket in the Stoke Park Shopping Precinct in 1972 (Image: Archant)

In the 1970s, many years before he was knighted in 2000, the boxer came to Ipswich to open the Budgens supermarket in the Stoke Park Shopping Precinct in 1972 and Peachy News and Sports in June 1979.

Henry Cooper was in Ipswich to open Peachy News and Sports in June 1979 (Image: Archant)

He also visited Bury St Edmunds to open a Boots store in October 1978, and paid another visit to the town in 1980.

Boxing legend Henry Cooper pictured visiting Bury St Edmunds in June 1980 (Image: Archant)

The heavyweight boxer, who fought Muhammad Ali in 1963, was the former British and Commonwealth and European heavyweight champion, as well as being the only boxer to be knighted.

It will be 10 years this year since he died in 2011, with many tributes being paid from across the world.

Henry Cooper and reporters Neal Manning (left) and Eric Johnstone in March 1972 (Image: Archant)

If these photos bring back memories, email judy.rimmer@archant.co.uk

To order photos, visit our website or call Diane Townsend on 01603 772449.

Henry Cooper at a charity golf day in Feltwell in September 1993 (Image: Archant)