YOUNG and old are being urged to take part in homecoming celebrations being planned for Northwich’s Olympic gold medal-winning rower.

An open top bus parade and civic reception are due to take place in the town on Saturday, October 1, to mark the achievements of Matthew Langridge.

The 33-year-old won silver and bronze in the men’s eight at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics respectively before going one better by striking gold at the Rio games this summer.

A civic homecoming for Matthew is being organised by Northwich Town Council following a call from town councillor Sam Naylor for the town to stage an event to recognise Matthew’s success.

Cllr Naylor put his suggestion to the town council after receiving backing for the idea from Joyce Hooper, the president of Northwich Rowing Club, where Matthew was a member.

Town councillors gave their unanimous support to the civic celebrations, which are being backed by Northwich Independent Retailers Association and Cheshire West and Chester Council.

“The town is determined to celebrate this once-in-a-generation achievement by this awesome athlete,” said Cllr Naylor.

“It is important to recognise what he has done, and we are encouraging everyone, young and old, to come along to the homecoming.

“I want people to be able to say in 10, 20 or even 50 years’ time that they can remember taking part in the celebrations.

“I watched Matthew winning his gold medal, and it could not have happened to a nicer lad.

“He was thrilled about the idea of the parade when I spoke to him about it, and the celebrations will also be great for the town.”

The open top bus parade is due to take place at midday, starting from Verdin Park.

It will cross Town Bridge, through the Bull Ring and along Watling Street before turning left into Meadow Street.

After passing The Penny Black it will turn right at Birtwistles butchers, against the flow of the gyratory system, down Venables Road.

It will then turn right back onto Watling Street before turning left into the entrance for the Cumberland Street car park and end at the riverside entrance of Memorial Court.

There will be a ceremony on the steps of Memorial Court, followed by a civic reception inside the building.

Matthew attended Hartford High School before studying for his A-levels at St Nicholas RC High School.

He lived on London Road, a short walk from Northwich Rowing Club, where he first went as a teenager.

While a member of the club he became the first British rower to win a gold medal in the single scull at the World Junior Championships in 2001.

He has competed at four Olympic Games, making his debut in a men’s double at Athens in 2004.

He claimed silver in the men’s eight at Beijing in 2008, followed by bronze in the same event at London in 2012.

Matthew is also a two-time world champion, in the men’s four, from 2009 and 2011, and won gold in the men’s pair at the European Championships in 2015.