OLYMPIC gold medallist Peter Charles has returned to his home village of Bentworth, near Alton, to a hero's welcome.

He was greeted by congratulatory banners and an enthusiastic gathering of supporters at The Sun Inn.

At his yard, the stables were decorated with Union Flags and the feeling of pride and joy was palpable.

It was a fitting welcome for the 52-year-old showjumper who, having been reunited with his family, arrived at the pub on Thursday to find himself the centre of a surprise party, with a cake baked especially by 12-year-old Holly Hayward and pictures of him competing drawn by four young boys, who were delighted to be handed the gold medal to hold and try on.

Riding 10-year-old Dutch gelding Murka's Vindicat W, Charles helped his team to deliver Great Britain's first showjumping gold medal in 60 years in front of an emotionally-charged Greenwich Park crowd during the Olympics.

Charles punching the air in triumph as he cleared the last fence to ear-splitting applause has already become one of the iconic images of London 2012.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.