BRAMHOPE'S Brownlee brothers have been cheered on by thousands at a homecoming parade for the heroes of Rio 2016.

Triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee*, who won gold and silver at the Games, were part of a group of Yorkshire-based Olympic and Paralympic stars who took part in the celebration.

They were joined by fellow medallists including Rawdon's Paralympic cyclist David Stone MBE, diver Jack Laugher, Paralympic wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft MBE and rowers Andy Triggs Hodge, Paul Bennett and Tom Ransley.

Up to 30,000 people turned out on Wednesday, September 28 to applaud the athletes as they made a circular tour of Leeds city centre aboard open-top buses, accompanied by bands and dancers.

Alistair Brownlee, speaking on the night, said: "We can’t believe how many people are here!

"It's great being in our home city and we're very proud to be from Leeds and Yorkshire. What a welcome home!"

The Rio Heroes event was organised by Leeds City Council in partnership with Welcome to Yorkshire, and the athletes attended a special civic reception in the Civic Hall following the parade.

The council's Leader, Otley resident Councillor Judith Blake, said: "We have been extremely fortunate to host some truly memorable occasions in Leeds but to see so many people, of all ages, line the streets of the city centre to welcome home our Yorkshire Olympic and Paralympic Heroes took the breath away!

"It really was fantastic to see the county’s athletes get the recognition they so fully deserve for their phenomenal success in Rio.

"I would like to thank all of them for finding the time in their extremely demanding and hectic schedules to attend the parade and of course to thank the Yorkshire public, who once again proved why their support is amongst the very best in the world."

Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, Sir Gary Verity, added:"Wow what a welcome for our Yorkshire Rio Heroes.

"Tens of thousands of people lined the route around the city centre to cheer on our athletes and it really has been an event to go down in history."

The parade's main sponsor was Clipper Logistics with partner sponsorship provided by Slingsby Gin, Radio Aire, Yorkshire Water, Yorkshire Tea and Vale of Mowbray.

*Horsforth also has a claim on the brothers, who grew up there.