Sheffield set to celebrate Jessica Ennis Olympic gold medal

About 10,000 people are expected to gather in Sheffield city centre later to welcome home Olympic champion Jessica Ennis.

Ennis, 26, won the heptathlon gold medal on 4 August.

Celebrations of her victory, including performances by local bands, will be held at Barker's Pool from 16:00 BST. Ennis will appear on stage after 18:30.

Trees and lampposts will be wrapped in gold and people have been asked to wear or bring something gold.

Balm Green, next to the city hall, will be transformed into a mini athletics track where young people can try out their skills on some of the sporting disciplines of the heptathlon.

Surrounding roads will be closed during the event.

The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, councillor John Campbell, will officially welcome Ennis home on an outdoor stage.

Ennis will be asked to unveil her "Sheffield Legends" plaque, which has been temporarily removed from outside the town hall and painted gold to commemorate her Olympic win.

Mr Campbell said: "Jessica is a true superstar and we want to give her a massive Sheffield welcome home.

"She has done her home city proud. She is such a great ambassador for Sheffield and we are so proud of her so let's all come together to celebrate her achievement.

"Jessica has stayed strong to her Sheffield roots by being educated here through school and university, training here and seeing Sheffield as her home.

"She has risen to the occasion and now is the time for the city to rise to her."