A WALK of fame is to be created in a town centre, in a bid to honour Hambleton’s modern Olympic stars.

Hambleton boasts an impressive array of medal-winning athletes who have seen glory on the world stage in recent Olympic and Paralympic games. Now the district council is to celebrate them by renaming Northallerton Town Square as Olympic Square.

The local authority also plans to mark their achievements by inserting plaques into the pavement of the town square.

The news comes after para-rower Laurence Whiteley, from Northallerton, won a gold medal in the Rio Paralympics on Sunday.

Laurence, 25 and his rowing partner Lauren Rowles were crowned champions in the trunk and arms mixed double sculls.

Laurence, a former pupil of Hurworth House and Polam Hall schools began rowing in 2012 at Tees Rowing Club after wanting a change from disability swimming. He took up swimming to aid his rehabilitation after suffering an aggressive form of bone cancer which caused lasting damage to his leg.

Other local champions include Nicola Wilson, from Morton-on-Swale near Northallerton. The former Hurworth Hunt Pony Club member won silver for equestrian team eventing on Opposition Buzz in the London 2012 Olympics.

She said: “What an honour it is. I’m so grateful to all the people that helped me achieve my dream on winning a medal at an Olympic Games and also a huge thank you to UK Sport and the National Lottery for their incredible support.”

In the same year Katherine Copeland, from Stokesley, won gold in London in the lightweight double sculls.

The rower’s mother, Penny, said her daughter was currently taking a few weeks' break in America following the Rio Olympics and would be returning to training at the end of the month.

She said: “She’s just having a short break before she goes back to training six days a week but I’m sure she will be very flattered by the news.”

Another Olympic medallist from the Hambleton district is rower Zoe Lee, from Richmond, who won silver in the women’s eight at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Hambleton District Council says it hopes the Olympic pathway will act as inspiration to all young athletes just starting their sporting journeys.

“We not only want to mark Laurence’s achievements but also those of all our athletes over the last few years,” said council leader, Mark Robson.

“We want them to know how proud the district is of them – of their hard work and determination to bring home the medals to Hambleton.

“And hopefully it will inspire lots of budding Olympians and Paralympians as they start their athletic journey in Hambleton.”