Thousands of people today lined streets and watched from office windows as triumphant Grand National winner Red Marauder went on a victory parade through the centre of his owner's home city.

The 11-year-old chestnut enjoyed bright sunshine on his mile-long walk a stark contrast to the torrential rain and mud against which he battled to win the Grand National and which floored nearly all the other runners.

He was one of just four out of 40 horses to complete the gruelling four-and-a-half-mile steeplechase and won at odds of 33-1.

Today he went at a more leisurely pace to the delight of thousands who clapped as he was paraded through the city centre wearing his blue and gold Martell Cognac Grand National Winner 2001 blanket.

Mr Mason, 64, and wife Dorothy, 40, joined winning jockey Richard Guest to parade the horse through the streets where crowds included young and old alike and throngs of schoolchildren on their lunch breaks.

Mr Mason built up his empire around amusement arcades, bingo halls and pubs and nightclubs across the region and now employs more than 500 people and became involved in horse racing 30 years ago when he accepted a brood mare as payment for a debt.

He said today: ''After winning the race everything seemed in a whirl but with everything now settled down this brings back to life exactly what Red Marauder has achieved.

''I'm delighted with what has happened today and the number of people who have turned out to see Red Marauder.''

Richard Guest said: ''It's a fantastic reception for a fantastic horse.

''He has handled it extremely well and looked as if he enjoyed every second of it and remained very calm.

''He will now enjoy what will be a well deserved and lengthy holiday.''

Northumbria Police, which provided five horses from its mounted section to flank Red Marauder throughout the procession, estimated the crowds in Sunderland city centre as being between four and five thousand.

Mr Mason stables Red Marauder at his farm on the outskirts of Durham City.

The Grand National success was the first for the North East since County Durham trainer Denys Smith's Red Alligator won the race in 1968.

Read the recent questions and answers session with Mr Mason and Mr Guest here.

Updated: 15.20 Tuesday, April 24