AS IT HAPPENED: Manchester honours Olympic and Paralympic heroes

MANCHESTER paid tribute to Team GB’s Olympic and Paralympic sports stars with a parade in the rain through the city’s streets. 

The Team GB Olympians and Paralympians were supported by approximately 200,000 people who braved the downpour.

Starting at the Museum of Science and Industry the parade passed by Manchester Arena before making it’s way to Albert Square.

The 350 Team GB athletes attending included Jessica Ennis, Ellie Simmonds and the Brownlee brothers.

To make sure none of the fans missed their favourite athletes there were big screens in place to allow onlookers to see the athletes close up.

Got a flag and the balloons are out here by the @FootballMuseum for the Parade! Let me know your #QuaysOlympicMoment pic.twitter.com/Hg4gQoFfed

— Nathan Salt (@NathSalt1) October 17, 2016

Manchester was decorated for the occasion…

#quaysolympicmoment pic.twitter.com/QFg6GrlWeI

— Will Pearson (@96PearsonW) October 17, 2016

The Olympians, who between them achieved 147 golds medals, were split into seven different floats.

Max Whitlock showed off his gold medal skills.

Wouldn't be a proper parade without some @maxwhitlock1 skills! Loving the @TeamGB parade! #GBHeroesMCR pic.twitter.com/ftVCiz0WBP

— British Gymnastics (@BritGymnastics) October 17, 2016

And there was a word of thanks from his him and his team mate Nile Wilson.

.@NileMW and @maxwhitlock1 are loving the crowd! ? #GBHeroesMCR pic.twitter.com/wB6SOcd1Sp

— Team GB (@TeamGB) October 17, 2016

Another word of thanks, this from gold medal diver Jack Laugher.

.@JackLaugher has a message for everyone that can't be at #GBHeroesMCR today ? pic.twitter.com/EnVbvUr4Cb

— Team GB (@TeamGB) October 17, 2016

The parade not only involved our Olympic and Paralympics champions but also featured well known pop stars such as X Factor runner up Rebecca Ferguson and the Kaiser Chiefs.

Despite the rain crowds still turned out in Albert Square to cheer on the Olympians.

Lead singer of the Kaiser Chiefs, Ricky Wilson, got the crowd warmed up.

The Leeds band kicked off the party with their hit song Ruby, which was a definite crowd pleaser.

@KaiserChiefs #GBHeroesMCR pic.twitter.com/sUVPKhw2tg

— MCRactive (@MCRActive) October 17, 2016

Star athletes greeted the crowd gathered at Albert Square.

Heptathlon silver medalist in Rio Jessica Ennis-Hill talked about her difficult decision to retire.