Paralympic star Ellie Simmonds looks to the future

It's been the best week of her life – and now golden girl Ellie Simmonds is looking towards the future.

As well as discussing plans for a civic reception in her hometown of Walsall, the Paralympic legend has also been invited to start the Great North Run in Newcastle next weekend alongside fellow gold medal winners Mo Farah, Nicola Adams and Greg Rutherford.

And there's also the little matter of her 18th birthday and studying for her A-levels in history and world development at Swansea, where she receives her swimming coaching in a bid to maximise her talent.

Proud dad Steve Simmonds from Aldridge said she had fulfilled whatever could have been expected of her at the Games.

"In terms of Ellie and her delivery and her performance, it is by far the best week we have ever had, she has done some absolute spectacular swims," he said.

"She did a time no-one believed someone like her could be capable of doing.

"She doesn't like to make a lot of noise about what she is going to do, or what she has done."

He said that Ellie will now decide what is best for her future.

"We have got to talk to her about that but it is likely she will go back to school in Swansea and carry on her A-levels.

"But it is really difficult to plan too far ahead at the moment. She is 18 in November, she is a young woman who likes a bit of stability. There will be no pressure on her, there are common sense things she needs to think about."

He declined to get involved in the calls for Ellie to be made a dame, insisting such decisions are made by senior figures.

"She just wants to be the best. She doesn't do it for damehoods or MBEs although these things are wonderful, and gratefully accepted, but it's simply a case of doing what she loves doing," he said.

"If anything like that comes along, very nice, but if it doesn't, it doesn't." Ellie has said she is delighted to be honoured in her hometown in Walsall in recognition of her four medals. The tributes include Cooper and Jordan School naming the pool after her, and a post box in Aldridge being painted gold.

Ellie said: "When my dad texted me I was so happy and it was great to be honoured by that and to get a gold postbox in Aldridge is really good, it is opposite a lot of places I go."

Walsall Council is planning a reception in her hometown and wants to hold talks in the coming months. Mother Val said: "When people ask us where we consider home to be there's no doubt in our minds. It's Aldridge in the borough of Walsall. And that's where Ellie loves to be."