The double gold medallist arrived home on Monday and was swept off last night for an evening of adulation.

After being picked up from her home in a golden Rolls Royce, the 19-year-old was delivered in style to Mansfield's civic centre, where the mayor, Tony Egginton presented her with a gold, £460 pair of Jimmy Choo shoes he had promised her if she returned from the Games as a winner.

She then took centre stage on an open top bus tour through the town, accompanied by her parents and two sisters.

Thousands of supporters lined the streets and waved Union Flags as the bus snaked its way through the town.

Adlington said she couldn't believe all the attention she was getting.

"I wasn't expecting this. It's just been so overwhelming. When I got home everyone was out. It's so nice to see everyone who has supported me, it's good to see all their efforts pay off as well," she said.

After the bus reached the market place, her races were replayed on a giant screen before a spectacular fireworks display.

Adlington took this year's Olympics by storm, winning the 400 metres freestyle before clinching gold in the 800 metres freestyle, making her the most successful British swimmer in the past 100 years.

Sherwood Swimming Baths where she trained will be renamed the Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre when it reopens next year.

A Yates's Wine Lodge has also talked of renaming itself the Adlington Arms even though she doesn't really drink.

Her coach Bill Furniss said: "She's just a natural. She's a girl from Mansfield, she's honest and she's sincere and she has a happy bubbly character."

Meanwhile, two of Yorkshire's Olympic heroes arrived home yesterday to slightly more muted receptions.

Swimmer Joanne Jackson won bronze in the 400 metres and arrived home yesterday to see her street filled with people, champagne in hand, welcoming her back to Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Her father, Barry, said he was delighted to have her back. "They were delayed on the motorway so we had to lubricate all the neighbours with champagne while we all waited for her to arrive. It's a great feeling. Everybody was completely over the moon for her," he said.

Joanne said she was surprised at the reception she received. "It was a bit embarrassing to be honest. It was a real shock, but nice to see everyone. They all had champagne in their hands and were clapping when I arrived. But It's so good to be back, see my friends and family and just relax a bit," she said.

Jackson will take a holiday in Egypt before getting back into the pool some time in October.

"It was so unexpected for me to get a medal over in Beijing. That's why I came back to this reception, I think. People were surprised at how I did. I'm just so glad I went out and did what I did."

Yorkshire-born Ed Clancy, who brought home cycling gold, opted for a much more laid back celebration at his family home in Tetbury, Gloucestershire.

His mother, Cathy, said all he has wanted to do since returning from Beijing is get out on his bikes.

"He bought a trials bike four months ago that he's been dying to ride, but he couldn't because he was in training for the Olympics.

"Edward is not one for big parties. We offered him one but he's not keen.

"He's already back in his normal routine, getting up at 6am and going training on his road bike.

"Training is like brushing his teeth for Edward, it's built into him now. I can't remember a day in his life when he hasn't been out riding," she said.