Home town fans cheer hero Murray

The 25-year-old was given a hero’s welcome in a triumphant return to Dunblane, near Stirling.

Thousands of people waited hours in the rain, chanting his name while waving Scottish flags and homemade placards.

They were rewarded for their patience, with Murray signing as many autographs as possible as he slowly walked along through the town.

He also took time to take part in a knockabout with youngsters at his old tennis club.

Murray said: “I had no idea what to expect, so to see so many people show up and show such support and hang around for so long in the rain and cold weather was unbelievable.”

He grinned and held aloft his Olympic gold and silver medals before handing them to waiting schoolchildren to try on.

Murray’s victory over Novak Djokovic in New York came weeks after he beat Roger Federer to take the Olympic men’s title.