SCREAMING fans greeted Olympic medallists Ben Ainslie and Nick Rogers with a hero's welcome to their New Forest home.

Hundreds of Lymington residents turned out to welcome the sailing stars to a special reception at the town hall.

Hordes of youngsters mobbed their idols to have notepads, shirts and even wetsuits adorned with autographs.

Both sportsmen were astounded and touched by the outpouring of admiration from the people of their hometown.

Hands worn out from giving their signature, the pair were then presented with commemorative medals from Lymington and Pennington town mayor Jane Clarke.

Ben, who won his second Olympic gold medal in the Finn class at this year's Athens tournament, said: "It's really great. I certainly wasn't expecting that many local children. They all turned out and it's really great they're following the Olympics and I guess are impressed by it.

"I always dreamed of the Olympics since I was a youngster. It was always a dream for but for it to become a reality is incredible.

"It's great just being in the Olympics and being part of a great team, it's one of the best feelings you can have. If you're fortunate enough to win a medal as well it's unbelievable."

The 27-year-old now plans to begin training for the America's Cup with Emirates Team New Zealand, which will involve a change from sailing solo to being part of a large team.

Nick, 27, who won silver with sailing partner Joe Glanfield in the 470 class at Athens, is already thinking of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

But the former Priestlands School pupil said a new baby for co-sailor Joe Glanfield could rob him of an irreplaceable teammate.

He said: "I'm going for a gold medal in 2008. Joe and I definitely want to campaign together but because he has a baby coming he can't promise he'll sail with me.

"I don't know what I would do. I couldn't imagine it with someone else."

On his reception at the Lymington Town Hall, he said: "I couldn't bel-ieve the welcome, I was absolutely stunned."

Cllr Clarke summed up the senti-ments of a proud town in her short speech of praise for the medallists. She said: "Not many small towns have two Olympic medallists."

First published: Sept 9