Paralympic gold medallist Naomi Riches thanked the Marlow community after she was presented with the Mayor's Award for Sporting Excellence at the annual regatta reception.

The mayor’s annual lunch was held at Court Garden House, where dignitaries were among guests in attendance as Naomi accepted her award for her sporting achievments and tireless charity work.

Naomi, who is registered blind, won a gold medal for Team GB in the 2012 London Paralympic Games mixed coxed four.

Since retiring from the sport she has been actively involved with various charities, and said the award was an "absolute honour".

She said: "There’s something about Marlow that makes you want to be involved, makes you want to be part of the town and part of the community.

"I’ve spent a lot of time since retiring from the sport of rowing inspiring, empowering and enabling youngsters through the power of sport, to get involved and to see their own strengths. There are so many things you can learn from the sporting world that you can carry on through life.

"It’s just a super, super town to be involved in. Thank you all so much for being so generous and so caring as a community."

Naomi moved to Marlow in 2008 and won another gold medal in the 2013 Korean World Rowing Championships, after which she returned to Eton Dorney for the 2013 World Rowing Cup, winning gold again.

She was a National Disabled Swimming Champion at the age of 12, competing for a local disabled swimming team and winning silver and gold medals at the London Youth Games at Crystal Palace for four successive years.

Naomi continues to promote paralympic sport and be involved with Marlow Rowing Club and Marlow Sports Club.

She is also a trustee for one of the mayor’s supported charities, ‘OK Our Kids’, which helps young children stay safe at home, school and in the community.