London parade for Olympic heroes

Britain's Olympic heroes will take part in a lap of honour through the streets of London.

The Athens medallists, including Kelly Holmes and Matthew Pinsent, will be invited to a victory celebration in the capital on 18 October which will be followed by a reception at Buckingham Palace with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

Organisers expect thousands to line the streets in a show of support-which they hope will boost the capital's chances of securing the 2012 Games.

Final details are still to be worked out but it is expected that the medallists will parade at Trafalgar Square before travelling on an open-top bus to the palace.