OLYMPIC and Paralympic heroes from Worcestershire will again be the centre of attention during a parade marking their medal-winning success in Beijing.

Members of Team GB are today taking part in the Heroes Parade in London to mark the country’s best performance in a games for a century.

Speaking ahead of the event, hockey player Rachel Walker from Worcester said: “I’m excited. I think it’s good to have waited until after the Paralympic Games finished.

“It’s important the public get the chance to celebrate the achievements of Team GB.”

Medal-winning rower and former King’s School pupil Zac Purchase, who won gold in the lightweight double skulls, and Liam Killeen, the cross country mountain-biker from Malvern who finished seventh in his field, are also expected to take part.

They will be among about 350 top athletes and medal winners cheered on by the crowds as they parade on floats through the heart of London.

The event, organised by the British Olympic Association, is starting from Mansion House – the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London’s – at 11am.

It will make its way towards Trafalgar Square where it is due to arrive at about 12.30pm.

Miss Walker – a 29-year-old physiotherapist who lives in Halesowen, West Midlands but whose family are from Worcester – will join team mates at Buckingham Palace, after the parade.

She added: “I haven’t seen my team- mates since the flight back so it will be good to meet up again. Beijing was a wonderful experience and it’s right to celebrate everybody’s achievements.”

The hockey team finished sixth overall, boosting their world ranking to eighth.

After the parade and the visit to the palace the athletes will be relaxing at an exclusive party to toast the achievements of Team GB which finished fourth in the Olympic medal table and second in the Paralympic medal standings.

You can watch coverage of the parade coverage live on BBC1 between 11am and 1pm.