EAST Lancashire's Olympic and Paralympic stars paraded through Manchester to celebrate the phenomenal performances at the Rio 2016 Games.

More than 200,000 people came out to celebrate Team GB's success this summer.

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The event was the first of the back-to-back 'heroes parades' to toast Great Britain's medal haul, with the second celebration being held in London today.

Speaking before she set off on the float through the city, Clitheroe's Samantha Murray, who competed in the modern pentathlon, said: "The atmosphere is amazing here and it's so exciting.

"I can't wait for it to happen all over again in London."

The London 2012 silver medalist said she was proud to step into her official kit once again.

"It's so nice to put it back on and it was wonderful to see the familiar faces who were out in Rio. The celebrations are going to continue tonight," she said.

Team GB collected 27 golds among their medal total of 67 - two more than from London 2012 - for their best-ever haul from an overseas Olympics.

The ParalympicsGB squad, meanwhile, returned from South America with 147 medals, including 64 golds.

Hammer thrower Sophie Hitchon, who hails from Burnley and won a bronze medal, couldn't attend the parade but posted on facebook: "Have a fab day everyone attending the parade day today in Manchester hope the sun shines, sorry I can't be there."

Chorley's pole volter Holly Bradshaw, who is the British record holder, said on twitter: "Sad that I'm not going to see @J_Ennis positive smile at major championships anymore. Thanks for being such a massive inspiration to me."

Jess Essie-Hill announced her retirement from athletics last week.

Other East Lancashire Olympians in Rio included Steven Burke, who picked up a gold medal in cycling and canoeist John Schofield while the region's Paralympics competitors included swimmer Tom Hammer, sprinter Graeme Ballard and shooter Stewart Nagle.