A VILLAGE is preparing to welcome back its Olympic heroes.

Holmes Chapel has been dressed head to toe in red, white and blue ahead of the return of rowers Tom and Emily Ford.

The siblings, who attended The Grange School in Hartford, picked up gold and bronze medals respectively, with Tom starring in the triumphant men’s eight just moments after Emily and the women’s eight finished in third place.

To celebrate their accomplishments, Holmes Chapel Parish Council have been decorating the village and are planning to install a permanent tribute.

A spokesperson said: “The parish council is very proud of our own home-grown Olympians, Tom and Emily Ford.

“At the close of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games we congratulate Tom and Emily - Olympic rowers who have won a gold and a bronze medal respectively.

“Their phenomenal achievement is an inspiration to us all and record breaking too as they become the first British brother-sister combination to win medals at Olympic competitions.

“It was very exciting to watch their victories at home, here in Holmes Chapel, when Team GB’s Emily won bronze as a part of the women’s eight, then 20 minutes later her older brother Tom was scooping the gold!”

READ MORE: Rowing siblings win Olympic Games medals

Decorations have been put up to celebrate the siblings' accomplishments Decorations have been put up to celebrate the siblings' accomplishments (Image: Holmes Chapel Parish Council)

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They added: “Many congratulations – we have decorated the village centre to mark their amazing victories and the council are considering ideas for a permanent acknowledgement of their success at our next meeting on September 5.

“Thanks to Cllrs Armitt, Street, Tams and Mrs Jackson for help with the decorations, and to Matt and Katy O’Regan for designing the banners.”