Sheffield to celebrate Jessica Ennis Olympic gold medal

The city council said it expected thousands of people to attend

People in Sheffield have been urged to help turn the city centre into a "sea of gold" for Jessica Ennis's homecoming celebration.

Ennis, 26, was crowned Olympic heptathlon champion on 4 August.

A public celebration of her victory will be held at Barker's Pool, from 16:00 BST on Friday, before a private civic reception in the City Hall.

The Lord Mayor of Sheffield encouraged people to bring or wear something gold to "welcome her home in style".

'Sporting prowess'

Ennis is a former King Ecgbert's School pupil and a member of City of Sheffield Athletics Club.

The lord mayor John Campbell said: "Jessica is a world beater, Olympic champion and above all a Sheffield girl and we want to welcome her home in style.

"We want to turn the city centre into a sea of gold.

"We have all followed her rise to Olympic glory over the years and now we cannot wait to see her back in her home city.

"She has done Sheffield proud and we want to celebrate her sporting prowess in the place where it all began.

"I'd urge Sheffielders to come and show their support for Jessica and join in the city's celebrations."

Julie Dore, leader of Sheffield Council, said about 10,000 people were expected in the city centre to honour the Olympian's "unbelievable and incredible" achievements.

"I don't think people can wait to be able to welcome Jessica back with her gold medal to Sheffield," she said.

Ennis and her family would be consulted over how Sheffield would permanently mark the athlete's London 2012 gold medal win, Ms Dore confirmed.