by Laura Smith-Spark BBC News Online

Crowds packed the pavements in Tonbridge to greet their hero

The din of klaxons, whistles and screams on Tonbridge's high street was ear-splitting as the crowds waited for her open-top bus to appear.

Many of the thousands thronging the Kent town had waited hours to catch a glimpse of their new hero.

Children wearing union flag dresses waved banners they had made at home.

I remember her saying she would get a medal when she was about 14 Former classmate Jodie Tooth Holmes given hero's welcome In pictures: Kelly's welcome

Meanwhile eager supporters hung out of windows, stood on roofs and packed the pavements under red, white and blue bunting - transforming what is normally a quiet market town.

And everyone seemed to have a personal tale to tell of the impact the double-gold runner had made on their lives.

Among those keen to spot her was Jodie Tooth, 34, a former classmate from Hugh Christie school in Tonbridge.

She told BBC News Online she was so proud to see Holmes win her medals she almost cried - and she was delighted to see so many supporters for the parade.

Local teenagers wanted to show their support in a different way

"I don't remember what I did when she crossed the line - I think I was leaping about and dancing in the front room," she said.

"It's really amazing stuff, I can't believe how many people are here.

"I remember her saying she would get a medal when she was about 14, when we were all hating running round the 800 track and she was loving it."

Her mother, Jean Atkinson, recalled school sports days, saying: "There were always two races when they did athletics - Kelly was in one and the rest of the school in the other."

'Community feeling'

Sam Summucks, 34, another of Holmes' former classmates, brought her daughters - dressed in union jack dresses, scarves and tiaras - to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

She said: "My children followed her through the Olympics - and then to come here is such a great memory for us.

"It's amazing to see Tonbridge like this - it's a really good feeling, a community feeling."

Kelly Holmes looked overwhelmed by her reception

Matthew Longhurst, 18, said he had come to cheer Holmes on because she still came back to her old school each year to set "Kelly's challenge" for pupils.

"Our PE teacher was the one who started Kelly off and she's still there teaching now," he said.

A group of five teenagers ran down the street arm-in-arm, the letters of her name spelt out across their stomachs in felt-tip.

One said: "We came here for the laugh - we all love Kelly and we wanted to do something different. It's a bit like the World Cup, with everyone celebrating."

Another teenage girl proudly displayed what appeared to be a tattoo on her back - which unfortunately misspelled 'Kelly Homes'.

We wouldn't have missed it for the world Supporter Terry McMullin

The buzz surrounding the athlete's historic victories was enough to tempt people without local connections to join the party too.

Sandra and Terry McMullin, on holiday from Newport, south Wales, with their daughter Dawn, made an hour's journey from Hastings to catch the moment.

"I had made my mind we were coming," said Mr McMullin. "We wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Frantic cheering and flag-waving punctuated Kelly's heartfelt speech at Tonbridge Castle thanking her family, friends and local people for their support over the past two decades.

Ex-classmate Jodie Tooth (right) recalls school days with Holmes

Her former coach Dave Arnold - who guided Holmes from the age of 12 to two years ago - was at hand to see her homecoming.

He said: "Tens of thousands of people must have been there cheering and waving. I've found it such an uplifting experience just to be there.

"Kelly will be amazed by this - this is her chance to show her achievements to her town."

Judging by the queue snaking hundreds of yards from the marquee where the athlete signed autographs, her fans were only too proud to say she was one of theirs.

The words on everyone's lips were "we've never seen anything like this".

And unless a double-Olympic champion comes home to Tonbridge again, a party on this scale seems unlikely to be repeated in anyone's lifetime.