SCREAMING fans greeted Olympic sailing medallists Ben Ainslie and Nick Rogers with a hero's welcome to their New Forest home.

Hundreds of Lymington residents turned out to welcome the sailing supremoes to a special reception at the town hall.

Hordes of youngsters mobbed their idols to have notepads, shirts and even wetsuits adorned with autographs.

Both sportsmen were astounded and touched by the outpouring of admiration from the people of their home town.

Hands worn out from giving their signature the pair were then presented with commemorative medals from Lymington and Pennington Town mayor Jane Clarke.

Ben, who won his second Olympic gold medal in the Finn class at this year's Athens games, said: "It's really great. I certainly wasn't expecting that many local children. They all turned out and it's great they're following the Olympics and I guess are impressed by it."

The 27-year-old now plans to begin training for the America's Cup with Emirates Team New Zealand, which will involve a change from sailing solo to being part of a large team.

Nick, 27, who won silver with sailing partner Joe Glanfield in the 470 class in Athens, is already thinking of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

But the former Priestlands School pupil said a new baby for co-sailor Joe Glanfield could rob him of an irreplaceable teammate.

He said: "I'm going for a gold medal in 2008. Joe and I definitely want to campaign together but because he has a baby coming he can't promise he'll sail with me."