FOUR Olympians who returned to Teesside after winning medals at the 11th Special Olympics World Games were honoured with a civic reception in Eston this week.

Claire Rule and Claire Skelton, who attend the Grangetown Centre, Robert Kneeshaw, who attends the Skelton Social Skills Centre, and Caroline Jennison, from Eston, were among 7,000 athletes with learning disabilities competing at the games in Dublin.

Skelton Social Skills Centre manager Keith Wilcox, who was the British team's assistant head of delegation, said: "The athletes had a most fantastic experience, something they'll remember forever. Their performances were exceptional, especially Robert, who played in the table tennis doubles and won two medals with a partner he'd only met three times."

Rhythmic gymnast Claire Rule won a gold and three bronze, while gymnast Claire Skelton brought home three gold, a silver and a bronze. Artistic gymnast Caroline collected two gold, a silver and two bronze while Robert won two silver and a bronze.