OLYMPIAN Ian Peel was reunited with his son Christopher yesterday -- and all the youngster's friends cheered on their new hero (see picture).

Ian, who scooped silver in the trap event, which is similar to clay pigeon shooting, dashed from Manchester Airport yesterday morning to see his son for the first time since winning the medal.

As Christopher spoke to his dad, watched by his pals at St Bartholomew's Primary School, Great Harwood, he tried on the new medal which Ian says he has spent 20 years training for.

Ian said: "It is good to be back home and I am overwhelmed with all the attention I am getting.

"This will probably be the pinnacle of my career and I want to enjoy it."

Despite the persistent pats-on-the-back, Ian, who works in the textile industry, is now planning to come off cloud nine and get back to work. He said: "I have already taken eight weeks off this year and I've started eating into next year's holidays.

"But it was worth it and I need to carry on working because shooting will never pay enough."