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Fans gather early in Trafalgar Square to celebrate and congratulate the Ashes heroes as Admiral Nelson looks on

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Andrew Flintoff is understandably happy as he arrives at the team's hotel for the parade after a long night of celebration

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The special buses slowly make their way through the thousands of supporters on a bright, sunny day in the capital

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England's captain Vaughan holds aloft a replica of the Ashes urn for the crowds to see, as the party gets into full swing

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Player of the series, all-rounder Flintoff, enjoys the attention and soaks up the unique atmosphere at the front of the bus

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Another star of the show, Ashes debutant Kevin Pietersen, sings 'Jerusalem' as the buses move through the throngs

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England reach Trafalgar Square and enjoy a rapturous reception from the crowd on an historic day for English cricket

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England's players joyously belt out the hymn Jerusalem one more time along with an estimated 100,000 well-wishers

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Vaughan and the team move on to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair who says he "followed the Test series ball by ball"

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England are guests of honour at a 10 Downing Street garden party before going to hand back the Ashes urn

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At the home of cricket - Lord's - England hand over the sacred urn to the MCC for safe-keeping

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After a long day of celebrations, England's players show signs of fatigue but another long night will almost certainly ensue