Hundreds celebrate England star Hemp in home town

Big crowds gathered to welcome Lauren Hemp home to North Walsham

Hundreds of people have flooded the streets of England football star Lauren Hemp's home town to welcome her back.

The 24-year-old has won her second European Championship title with the Lionesses to cement her place as the Norfolk town of North Walsham's most famous sporting star.

A huge mural already celebrates the forward in the town and Sanders Coaches has now unveiled a bus named after her.

As a long queue of people waited to meet her, Hemp said: "I don't think I'll ever get used to it - it's so weird to see. It's such an honour and I'm so grateful."

North Walsham town centre was packed for the homecoming of Lionesses star Lauren Hemp

Hemp was a key player as England reached the final of Euro 2025 in Switzerland and retained their crown by beating Spain in a penalty shootout on July 27.

With her home town packed out for her return, as it was three years ago after she won her first Euros medal, Hemp continued: "It's unbelievable. There's so many people here that I used to go to school with.

"It's nice coming back and seeing everyone and nice seeing all the support I've got back home.

"When you're in the tournament, I feel like you don't necessarily see it as much. It's not until you get back here and see everyone supporting me. It's been incredible."

She plays professionally for Manchester City but started out playing with boys teams at North Walsham Town FC.

She joined Norwich City's Centre of Excellence at 10 years old, but it was disbanded five years later.

Hemp then returned to her hometown club and was again playing alongside boys until joining Bristol City at 16.

Following the Lionesses' success, North Walsham Town has been inundated with youngsters wanting to play football and has appealed for more coaches to get involved.

That appeal was echoed by Hemp, who added: "The women's game is growing and we need coaches to come and help that growth. It's so important and obviously I'd encourage it so much.

"I started out somewhere and there were many amazing coaches along the journey to get me where I am today."

Sanders Coaches has unveiled a bus named after Hemp, who was also presented with a Lego bus

North Walsham's Market Place was shut between 10:00 and 14:00 on Tuesday for the celebration event, and the single-decker bus named after her was unveiled at 11:00.

Charles Sanders, managing director of Sanders Coaches, said Hemp had been chosen after a competition asking which local person should be honoured.

"So we asked through her mother whether it was something she would like to have done and she agreed," he said.

"Obviously we have had to wait until now for her to come back to Norfolk to actually do it, and in between times they've gone and won the Euros again, so it's absolutely brilliant."

Charles Sanders, managing director of Sanders Coaches, in front of the bus named in Hemp's honour

Hemp was also presented with a Lego bus, having become known as fan of the miniature bricks and being spotted with a Beauty and the Beast castle during England's title celebrations.

Martin Miles, landlord of the King's Arms, was able to watch Hemp's homecoming from his pub.

"It's a great day for North Walsham. There's hundreds of people in town," he said.

"She's out there and the kids are all queuing up to have photographs. It's empty in here; everybody is outside."