Marlow was celebrating yesterday after its Olympic heroes finally set foot on British soil following the country’s most successful games to date.

Among the Team GB medal winners landing in London on a specially decorated chartered flight were Marlow’s history makers - Katherine Grainger, Helen Glover and Alex Danson.

Katherine became Britain’s most decorated female Olympian after winning silver in the women’s double sculls row, Helen Glover won gold in the women’s coxless pair and Alex Danson and the women's GB Hockey team also brought back gold.

The athlete's success is hoped to act as a springboard for more young people - especially girls - in to sport across the board.

Chairman of the Marlow Sports Club, Paul Sambrook, said: “The success we have had will get people going about sport more – not just hockey.

“But the beautiful thing about hockey is its corinthian spirit.

“What is great is it is not an elitist club. Anyone who wants to play can play. It is not about ability it is about engagement - which is what Alex has said in one of her speeches actually.”

Alex was appointed patron of the Marlow Sports Club in 2013 alongside Sir Steve Redgrave, Andrew Strauss and Clive Woodward.

Mr Sambrook continued: “We needed someone to represent younger and female members of the club. The club has around 800 females out of 2,200 members which we are very proud of.

“She is very good and has attended various different things at the club and presented the end of season awards.”

The trio have continued to tackle busy schedules since their return to the UK, with Helen appearing on BBC Radio 1 yesterday afternoon (August 23), and Alex and her team took centre stage on the One Show.

After landing at Heathrow Alex was quoted on GB Hockey's Twitter saying: "I never in my wildest dreams imagined we would have young hockey fans waiting for us off the plane - It's amazing".

Katherine believes the timing of the Games could not have been better and says the impact of Team GB’s success transcends sport.

She said: “It has almost felt like it has been a tough year for the country, a lot has happened politically in the nation in the last few months.

“I think the nice thing about sport is it does unite people and it lifts people. For a short while at least you have a lot of very positive news stories.

“I think the time and the place and the timing means this is one of the best Olympics – the best sporting events we have probably ever had.”

Chairman of the Marlow Rowing Club, John Yeatman, took the chance to congratulate Katherine for bringing back silver from Brazil.

He said: “Everybody at the club is very happy that thing came good for Katherine and her silver medal at Rio marks what we all assume to be a great end to a long and successful career.

“MRC can now claim to have Britain’s most successful male and female rowers as members, something we can be very proud of.”