Olympic star Miriam Batten was given a hero's welcome when she returned to Britain early today.

Miriam, 36, from Ditchling, won a silver medal in the women's quadruple sculls at the games in Sydney, Australia.

She was tempted out of retirement for the competition and her return paid off when she teamed up with sister Guin and two team-mates.

There were cheers as she arrived at Heathrow Airport with other Olympic medal winners.

Hundreds of wellwishers, some of whom had waited all night, gathered around the gates, waving Union Flags, popping champagne corks and cheering.

Miriam, sporting an Australian hat and proudly wearing her medal around her neck, waved as she walked through the gates.

She was greeted by banks of television cameras, photographers and reporters.

Guin, 33, is believed to have stayed in Australia for a few more days.

It was the first time the rowing sisters had competed in the same boat in a major championship.

They snatched second place from Russia by only 0.01 seconds with team-mates Gillian Lindsay and Katherine Grainger.

The team's success marks an historic first in British women's sculling.

They joined fellow rower Steve Redgrave, wearing his fifth gold medal, at Heathrow.

Steve and his team-mates, who struck gold in the men's coxless fours, said: "It's really good to be home."