CROWDS are expected to fill the streets to welcome home gold medal winning Olympic rower Pete Reed on Saturday.

An open top bus will carry Pete through Stroud and onto his hometown of Nailsworth as part of a day of celebrations in honour of histriumph in the men’s coxless four.

In the morning, Pete - who now has two Olympic gold medals plus three silver World Championship medals - will attend a civic reception hosted by Stroud District Council for invited guests before appearing on the Sub Rooms balcony shortly after midday to make a brief speech.

He will then make his way onto the forecourt to mingle and sign autographs.

As part of his speech, Peter will acknowledge the work of the Stroud and District Access Group, which is holding a Liberty Festival at the same venue to improve disability awareness.

The event includes wheelchair basketball, wheelchair dancing, a deaf comedian, a sign along and a sign language workshop.

Pete will board the open-top bus at 12.45pm.

It will then make its way down Russell Street, Rowcroft and onto Bath Road on its way to Nailsworth for around 1.15pm.

The bus will then do a circuit along Market Street, Old Market and back onto Fountain Street before making its way to Nailsworth town hall at 1.45pm, where a barbecue will be held for the community.

Pete will also be making an appearance on the Forest Green Rovers pitch at half-time and will be staying to watch the second half of the game against Alfreton Town.

Stroud District Council chairman, John Hudson, said: "We are delighted and proud of Peter’s achievements.

The Olympics proved to be an enthralling spectacle and it has been extra special to have a gold medal winner on our patch.

I hope that the spirit of the Olympics and the continuing momentum of the Paralympic Games will encourage people to turn out for this victory celebration and the Liberty Festival."