Hundreds of people lined the streets of Maryport for a parade to congratulate the town's Paralympic hero Simon Lawson.

The wheelchair racer finished 14th in the men's T54 marathon in Rio in extreme heat and without a water pack, which broke in the warm-up.

Spectators gathered around St Mary's Church, on Curzon Street and Senhouse Street to welcome Cumbria's only Paralympian.

People of all ages waved Great Britain flags and chanted Simon's name as he made his way through the town.

Youngsters from Maryport schools were among the crowds.

Julie Birkett, senior teaching assistant at Netherhall School, said: "It's amazing and wonderful for the children.

"It's nice to support somebody local who has achieved something so great."

Julie Whitham, teaching assistant at Netherton Infant School, said: "The kids have been so excited. We're all very proud of Simon."

Kath Wilson, 80, of Crosby, and Bernadette Wilson, 56, of Risehow, Maryport, also turned out to cheer Simon on.

Kath said: "It's great to see him back. It was a heck of an achievement to persevere and get to the end of the race in that heat."

Bernadette said: "He's doing everybody proud. It's fantastic to see him back. Words can't describe how proud you feel."

Following the parade, a presentation took place at the town hall with Simon's family and friends among those who attended.

He was presented with a silver tankard and a certificate by Maryport mayor Linda Radcliffe on behalf of the town council.

Coun Radcliffe said: "The whole town is proud of him. He went down a storm."

Speaking after the presentation, Simon said: "It was pretty amazing as I wasn't expecting anything like this.

"It's lovely to see everybody coming out, seeing my friends on the street and family here as well.

"I'm just training and competing and you're in your own bubble. The amount of support I've had from people is amazing."

The wheelchair racer is a former British championship rider, but was left paralysed from the chest down following in a motorbike accident in 2001.

He is coached by Ian Thompson, who is married to Paralympic legend Tanni Grey-Thompson.