Olympics win: Gold post box for Westhill's Tim Baillie

Tim Baillie's win is being celebrated in Westhill

A post box has been painted gold to honour Tim Baillie's victory in the Olympics.

Baillie, of Westhill, won gold in the canoe slalom C2 event, edging out Aberdeen's David Florence who won silver.

Royal Mail has now painted a post box gold in his home town in Aberdeenshire.

A special stamp featuring Baillie, and his canoe partner Etienne Stott, has also been issued to mark their achievement.

Tim Baillie (front) won C2 gold alongside Etienne Stott

Baillie said: "I don't think surreal really covers it.

"It's crazy. I think I will bask in the happy, strange glow for a few days."

An early starter in the sport, Baillie began paddling when he was aged just four, encouraged by his parents who were both keen members of Aberdeen Kayak Club.

Derek Thompson, the head teacher at Westhill Academy, Baillie's old school, expressed his joy at the former pupil's achievement.

"Staff and pupils at Westhill Academy are very proud of what Tim has achieved," he said.

"We were all very pleased when we heard he had been picked for the Olympic team and are now delighted at the news that his hard work and dedication have been rewarded with a gold medal.

"It is a fantastic personal achievement for him, and I hope it will also act as inspiration for others at the school."

Error-free

After school, Baillie moved south to attend Nottingham University, where he was also able to train at the National Water Sports Centre.

Baillie and partner Stott, ranked sixth in the world, produced an error-free run to take a surprise win at Lee Valley.

Florence, and Richard Hounslow, won silver in the same event.

Aberdeen's Lord Provost George Adam said: "On behalf of the city I would like to congratulate our Olympic heroes Tim Baillie and David Florence.

"To be chosen to represent your country is a tremendous achievement in itself but to see these two home-grown talents clinch gold and silver in the same event is fantastic and a wonderful inspiration to everyone in the city.

"I wish all our athletes the best of luck for the remainder of the games, particularly Aberdeen's Katherine Grainger as she bids to win a well-deserved gold."