A WALKWOOD physiotherapist who worked with top athletes at the Olympic Games was reunited with them for a grand parade in Trafalgar Square.

Melanie Betts, of Bilbury Close, joined athletes in London on Monday before enjoying an evening reception at Buckingham Palace, attended by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Miss Betts, who works at Studley Physiotherapy Centre, said working with the Great Britain target shooting team in Athens had been a fantastic experience and one she hoped to repeat in Beijing in 2008.

"We stayed in the Olympic village with all the athletes in a really relaxed and informal atmosphere," she said.

"One of my most exciting experiences was to work with the shooting champion Richard Faulds, who won a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000."

Miss Betts said she felt privileged to have been involved in Athens.

"To work in the Olympics is one of the ultimate accolades in sport," she said.

"It was quite strange to return to Studley but I have to admit it was nice to get back to normality.

"I just wish I could have brought some of the Athens weather back with me!"