Golden girl Eleanor back home

Walsall's Olympic wonder girl Eleanor Simmonds was back in her home town today after winning the hearts of the world with her stunning gold medal display in Beijing.

The 13-year-old was given a standing ovation by 300 pupils and teachers at her former school in Aldridge this morning - the first of a wave of public appearances the teenager will be enjoying.

Eleanor and her team-mates were met from the plane by hordes of spectators at Heathrow Airport yesterday afternoon, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The teenage swimming sensation won the women's S6 400 metres title smashing her own world record and won the 100 metres freestyle at the games.

She was whisked back to Aldridge, where she lives with her family, for a brief rest before heading to her old school Cooper and Jordan CE School, The Green, Aldridge, today. Eleanor said: "Winning the medals was just unbelievably amazing and I just still cannot believe it."