Massive crowds acclaim Cup winners

Crowds estimated at over half a million thronged London’s streets today to salute England’s World Cup winners.

Supporters had braved freezing temperatures through the night to get the best positions from which acclaim their favourites during their victory parade around the capital.

Captain Martin Johnson and the rest of his victorious squad packed the top of an open-topped bus named "Sweet Chariot" for the tour which officially began at precisely midday when a special red ribbon was cut at Marble Arch.

The team were bound along Oxford and Regents Streets to Trafalgar Square, where thousands of cheering fans were following the parade’s progress on specially erected giant screens.

The Queen was awaiting at Buckingham Palace to greet the players before the last leg of their journey took them to Downing Street for a champagne reception with Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair.