Rugby: London acclaim for World Cup heroes

ENGLAND’S World Cup heroes were hailed by the Queen, the Prime Minister and three-quarters of a million ‘close friends’ during a tumultuous victory parade through the centre of London yesterday.

The victorious players and coach swigged champagne and held the Webb Ellis Trophy

aloft as their open-topped bus edged through the crowds from Marble Arch towards Buckingham Palace finally bound for a champagne reception at Downing Street.

Supporters many of whom had braved freezing temperatures through the night to get a glimpse of their favourites crammed every available space along the route while cannons fired confetti and St George flags fluttered from buildings.

London mayor Ken Livingstone bestowed the Freedom of the City of London on the squad during an extraordinary pause in Trafalgar Square where tens of thousands of voices bellowed the 'Sweet Chariot' anthem and a handful even danced in the fountains with joy.