The victorious City of York Special Olympics team returned from Leicester with a haul of no fewer than 19 medals representing Yorkshire and Humberside.

They returned to a rapturous welcome followed by a celebratory tour of the city on an open top bus courtesy of York Pullman Coaches with a police escort.

The Games were the first for the York athletes and precious metal was soon the currency in boccia, where there was individual gold in the singles for Karl Mercer and Ann Pattison, silver for Clare Edwards and Carol Richardson, and bronze for Michelle Ward and Derek Kettlestring.

Jeremy Mowforth, Adam Stafford, Stephen Ding and Andrew Bayston collected ribbons for fourth place.

Team gold was struck by Stafford and Mowforth with silver for Mercer and Ward to round off a fantastic week for coach Caroline England and assistants Carol Walker and Joan Murray.

Applefields School pupil Joe Hadfield revelled in an early 18th birthday present when he picked up gold in the long jump and bronze in the relay, the latter as the only York representative in the Yorkshire and Humberside athletics team.

Celebrations too for swimmers Anthony Long and Colin Cartwright.

Long won gold in the 25 metres freestyle and silver in the relay, while Cartwright bagged a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle to the delight of coach Mark Draper.

Tennis aces, coached by Bev Cairns, were also in the medals.

Matthew Wreglesworth, Emma Lindsey, Cameron Long, Hannah Sawyer, Laura Campbell and Lewis Beattie brought home six medals between them to complete the impressive 19-medal tally.

Long won gold, Wreglesworth picked up a silver and bronze, while Sawyer, Campbell and Beattie all received bronze medals.

Special Olympics City of York chairman Tim Madgwick was delighted with the team’s display.

He said: “It has been an amazing journey over the last two years and we are so proud of all our athletes and all that they have achieved.

“I am so proud too of all the coaches, helpers and supporters who have given up so much time.

“I would appeal to any young person or adult with a learning disability who would like to be involved in any way to get in touch.

“We want to grow and it would be tremendous in four years’ time at the next National Games to have doubled or trebled the number of athletes taking part.”

Anyone who would like to get involved with the special Olympics either as an athlete or supporter should phone Paul Ramskill on 07767 318030 or email paul.ramskill@york.gov.uk or phone Val French on 07795 112546 or email valfrench_ssco@hotmail.com mob sport@thepress.co.uk