Wallington's Paralympic Double Gold Medal Winner David Weir Returns to a Hero's Welcome

6.05.40pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 21st Sep 2008

Hundreds turned out Thursday evening at the Phoenix Centre in Wallington for an impromptu celebration to welcome home Paralympic double gold medalist David Weir.

David won two Gold medals in Beijing in the 800 and 1,500 metres wheelchair races.

Local MP Tom Brake was one of many who queued to congratulate David on his outstanding sporting achievements.

Tom said, "David's grit and determination is truly inspiring. He fought his way to not one, but two gold medals in the greatest sporting event in the world. It is athletes like David who need to front the campaign to make the 2012 games the best ever, encouraging more children and young people to get involved in sport at all levels, from the casual to the professional level."

In recognition of his outstanding achievements David was presented with an engraved watch by the local pharmacy.