WORCESTERSHIRE’S Olympic heroes have been cheered by thousands at a parade marking the success at the Beijing Games.

Olympians and Paralympians were given a rapturous welcome in London yesterday during Team GB’s Heroes Parade.

Former King’s School pupil and gold medal-winning rower Zac Purchase and hockey player Rachel Walker, originally from Worcester, were among those taking a well-deserved bow.

Zac praised those who turned out to support the team and said: “It was absolutely astonishing – the number of people there was beyond our expectations.”

Echoing his sentiments, Miss Walker said: “It’s been fantastic and the amount of support we’ve had here is great.”

Floats carrying about 350 members of the Team GB squad made their way through the streets of London to Trafalgar Square for the celebrations.

The televised event was official recognition of the best performance by a British Olympic team for 100 years with the Olympic and Paralympic teams coming fourth and second in the medal tables respectively.

Miss Walker met cyclist Chris Hoy, who won three golds, praising him as “down to earth” and Lord Coe, who is heading organisation of the London 2012 Games.Zac said: “Four years is a long time in sport.

“As a country we need to continue building on our achievements and we’ll do well as long as support is maintained.”

Following the parade, the athletes went to Buckingham Palace where the Queen paid tribute to the team’s achievements.

Well-wishers also travelled down from the county to support their heroes.

Robin Walker, a management consultant from Evesham, who was wearing a Union flag vest under his business suit, booked his rail ticket and arranged a few meetings to justify the day trip.

The 52-year-old said: “I’m a bit of a sport nut. I’m on the volunteers’ list for the 2012 Games so I hope to get involved in some way.”