Hero’s welcome home for Andy Murray

Crowds packed into the bunting-lined streets of Dunblane, near Stirling, with Scottish flags and homemade placards congratulating the town’s favourite son.

Thousands chanted his name and cheered after waiting hours in wet weather. They were rewarded for their patience, with Murray emerging to sign as many autographs as possible as he slowly walked along through the town.

The 25-year-old is celebrating a golden summer of success with locals just days after returning to the UK after beating Novak Djokovic to win the US Open.

Picture gallery: Andy Murray, boy champion to world beater

That victory came weeks after he beat Roger Federer to take the Olympic men’s title at the London 2012 Games. Cameron Reid-Thomas, 11, from Dunblane, was among those who waited to welcome the champion.

He said: “We’re Andy’s biggest fans, we all came here to see him and say well done. “It’s huge for all his fans to see him back here. He doesn’t get back often because he’s always training and playing tournaments.”

Johnathan Beher, seven, from Dunblane, said: “Andy’s my hero, I want to be just like him.”