MARLOW'S Rowing Club's Olympic medal winners have been promised "a welcome worthy of their oustanding performance" when they return home from Athens.

That is the pledge from Wycombe District Council to the medal winners who gave Marlow Rowing Club's women's section the greatest weekend in their history.

Cath Bishop and Katherine Grainger brought home the silver medal in the womens pairs, Alison Mowbray added another silver in the quad sculls while Sarah Winckless secured bronze to cap an incredible weekend for the British team.

Their outstanding achievements were immediately recognised by council officials.

Spokesman Jeff Willmore said: "We sent a message ofcongr atulations to all the rowers. The local residents are absolutely delighted to see them make such a huge contribution to the success ofthe British team."

Willmore could not confirm what the district council had in store for Marlow's Olympians, but confirmed it would be a fitting tribute.

He added: "We will be doing something to celebrate, but at this stage it is too early to say. It will be something worthy oftheir outstanding performance."

The four-medal haul was the greatest 24 hours in the rowing club's history as Bishop and Grainger powered to glory in the women's pairs, just missing out on gold behind defending champions Romania.

Mowbray added to the tally ofsilv er medals with a dramatic second place in the quad sculls while Winckless secured bronze in the double sculls.

For Grainger it really was a weekend to remember as she became the first female British rower to win two Olympic medals, following the silver she won in Sydney four years ago.

Marlow Mayor Doug Anson wants to honour the medal winners with a repeat ofthe scenes that greeted Sir Steve Redgrave when he won his fifth Olympic gold at Sydney.