Homecoming parade for Team GB's medal-winning rowers

The celebrations continued despite the rain

Pouring rain failed to dampen the spirits of celebrations to honour the return of Olympic and Paralympic rowers.

The athletes rode an open-topped bus through Henley-on-Thames, starting from the iconic Leander Club and finishing at the Town Hall.

A special rowing event was then held ahead of a private Leander Club reception.

Club general manager Al Heathcote said he was "very proud" of the rowers, and that it was a "great opportunity to meet these current Olympic heroes in person".

Erin Kennedy, coxswain for the Team GB rowing team and Paralympic champion, was part of the celebrations.

“Henley is synonymous with rowing," she said. "Leander Club is my home club, so it’s great to be able to celebrate with Leander and come and celebrate with the people of Henley because they really do get behind rowing.”

Erin Kennedy said it was "good to be able to give something back" to the people of Henley

The event started from 09:30 BST, ahead of the bus procession, which was accompanied by the Wokingham Brass Band, and ended at the Town Hall.

Ms Kennedy said. “Rowing takes over the town more than one week a year and they put up with it very nicely so it’s nice to be able to give something back.”

The PR3 Mixed Coxed Four crew of (L-R) Erin Kennedy, Franke Allen, Giedre Rakauskaite, Ed Fuller and Josh O'Brien won gold at the Paralympics

Rory Hunt, the mayor of Henley, said it was “an immensely special day”.

“We are very proud as a town to have such a special sporting pedigree across many sports but no more so than rowing.”