Shelley was welcomed home by thousands of people in Pewsey

She paraded through the streets of the Wiltshire village on an open-top bus after her success in the Skeleton.

Ms Rudman, 24, practises the sport at Bath University, which sees competitors speeding down an ice track on a one-person sled.

She told reporters at the parade: "I can't believe it. This is worse than my race for being unreal!"

She added: "I'm still thinking exactly the same way as when I finished my race, it's a crazy time. I just came home with something special, that's all. I never expected such a massive response."

Silver slider

Ms Rudman, accompanied by fellow Olympian and boyfriend Kristan Bromley, made her way to a reception at the Moonrakers Pub, where locals helped raised �3,000 to send her on her way to victory.

Landlord Jerry Kunkler was so delighted by her success that he put on a free bar.

Included in the drinks was real ale brewed especially for the day by Wadworth's of nearby Devizes - Shelley's Silver Slider.

He said: "This is Pewsey's way of saying thank you to Shelley for all she's done for the village and for her country."

Shelley's parents, Jack, 53, and Josephine, 58, said the parade had left them shell-shocked.

"I'm a bit stunned to be honest, but this is the best moment for us because this is the reality, all these people coming here for our daughter," said Josephine.

Jack added: "I told her 'try everything you can' like we always have and she went off and did it. The next thing we knew she was representing Great Britain."