Homecoming parade in Leek for Olympic gold medallist

Olympic gold medallist rower Anna Watkins will be coming home to Leek in Staffordshire to show her medal and be congratulated by the town.

Anna, a former resident of Longsdon, triumphed in the London 2012 Olympics as one half of the Gold Medal team in the women’s double sculls rowing event.

The homecoming for the former Westwood College student starts at 11am, with Anna touring the town centre in a vintage Rolls Royce, from Moorlands House to Market Place via Stockwell Street, Buxton Road, Springfield Road, Ashbourne Road, Haywood Street, Russell Street and Derby Street.

Anna will be accompanied from Russell Street to Market Place by the 5th Leek and District Scout and Guide Band.

The Rolls Royce will arrive in Market Place at around 11.15am, where tributes will be paid to the gold medal winner by district council chairman Stephen Ellis, district council leader Sybil Ralphs MBE, and Leek Mayor Pam Wood.

Anna will then answer questions from the audience in Market Square.