Scroll through the gallery of pictures from the Olympic Homecoming celebration above.

Britain’s most decorated female Olympian, Katherine Grainger, says she has been “completely overwhelmed” by the support from the public since returning from Rio 2016.

The Maidenhead resident and lifetime member of Marlow Rowing Club was also “moved” to have so many children and young people show an interest in her achievements at the Olympic homecoming celebration.

She said: “I have done five Olympics now and yet every time it is just completely overwhelming. The reaction from the public and the local community and the people who want to come and take photographs and tell their own stories - it is so moving on a scale you can’t imagine.

“It’s not something you think about when you are competing so you almost forget that people have been watching back home and it is so special. It’s lovely to hear that is has been in some way inspirational.

“To have really tiny kids who wanted to come here and meet us and have their chance to see medals is great. In some way it will have a positive effect on them. All we have done is follow our dreams and have our own ambitions and that’s all you need to do in life. If any of them go away thinking that’s a nice message, then we have done our job.”

The rower, 40, credits Marlow Rowing Club for its support throughout her career and believes that it will continue to produce world-class athletes.

She said: “I first moved down here 17 years ago and Marlow Rowing Club adopted me straight away. I had a celebration there a few nights ago. It is so lovely to be involved in a local sports club. You see all different ages training there and having fun.

“We could see the next Steve Redgrave or the next Naomi Riches – all the people who have gone through the club and gone on to amazing things. All these young athletes can tap into that.”

Since returning from Rio 2016, the athlete says life has been a “whirlwind” mix of “Olympic stuff and personal things.”

She said: “I have been catching up with friends and family – the people you don’t get to see when you are training. To get some time to thank my family for their support.

“I never would have had the success and longevity I have had if I didn’t have that love from my family and friends. They are the ones that lift you up time and time again.”

The Olympian also admitted that the Free Press is her “favourite” local paper.

She said: “It’s my favourite local. I love it, it’s a page-turner. I love reading the local news.

“And Anita [Ross-Marshall, BFP photographer] takes the most amazing pictures, she is a pro. I look at them in the paper and think ‘I don’t even remember that but that’s amazing.”

Despite admitting her love for the paper, Katherine would not confirm whether or not she plans to appear at another Olympic Games.

She said: “I said I wouldn’t make a decision in the aftermath of Rio. I thought one Olympic Games was amazing, two would be sensational. I thought three would be about the limit. Then four was ‘let’s see what happens’ and five was a complete indulgence.

“Realistically I know there is probably not much more beyond this but I have yet to make a final decision.”