Marlow’s Olympic and Paralympic heroes gathered at a hotel in recognition of the achievements of the town’s sports stars. 

Marlow Sports Club hosted a celebration dinner at Danesfield House Hotel on Thursday, May 11 and invited a string of sports stars, including former Ashes winning England Cricket captain Andrew Strauss and a number of Olympians, including hockey gold medallist Alex Danson, Greg Whyte, Zac Purchase, Naomi Riches, Jeanette Chippington, Anne Dickins and Ed McKeever. 

They were also joined by Barry Middleton, Sam Ward, Susie Gilbert, Joie Leigh and Badminton equestrian Becky Woolven.

Many of the athletes regularly worked with juniors at the home of Marlow Sports Club in Pound Lane.

The stars - who had more than 20 gold medals between them - moved from table to table recounting stories of their path to success and enthralling the assembled 90 guests over dinner. 

The dinner, organised by Mike Brinsford and Graham Sweet, contributed more than £8,000 to the Club Development Fund for new facilities at the centre.