Hannah Cockroft will fly the flag for Halifax in '˜Rio Heroes' homecoming parade

Now the sporting stars who did our county and country proud at Rio 2016 are looking forward to a hero’s welcome in Leeds.

A host of Yorkshire’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes have already added their names to the list of attendees taking part in the special ‘Rio Heroes’ homecoming parade.

They include World, European and Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft MBE, who won gold in the Rio T34 100m final, and diver Jack Laugher, who made history by winning Great Britain’s first ever diving gold medal.

City council leader Judith Blake said: “There is already a real buzz of excitement around the Yorkshire Rio Heroes homecoming parade on the 28 September in Leeds, and it is great news to see so many of our amazing athletes already confirm their appearance.

“The Yorkshire public are never shy in offering their support to sports people from the region, and this parade is a fantastic opportunity to line the streets of Leeds city centre and give our Rio heroes a welcome home reception to remember.”

Yorkshire athletes contributed five gold medals, five silver and four bronze towards the total of 67 medals brought home by Team GB.

All eyes are now on the region’s athletes as they compete in the Paralympics.

The event is being organised in partnership with Welcome to Yorkshire and other councils in the region.

Details of the parade route are due to be announced shortly.