OLYMPIC heroes Jason Queally and Ian Peel were the toast of Lancashire today after grabbing Britain's first three medals of the Sydney Games.

The treble strike put a big smile on the face of the British team and represented the county's best ever Olympic haul.

Jason, of Whittle-le-Woods, near Chorley, began the glory trail with a gold in the 1km time trial and followed it up with a silver in the sprint team event.

Great Harwood shooter Ian Peel won silver in the trap event, similar to clay pigeon shooting. And it was revealed today that both men are set to receive civic recognition on their return home.

"I'm over the moon, I always knew I had an outside chance if I performed on the day but, when I got onto the podium and saw the flag being raised, I just couldn't believe it," said Ian.

Jason -- nicknamed the Lancashire Locomotive -- was equally amazed at becoming a household name overnight.

"Two medals in one games, it will take quite a while to sink in. I just can't sleep at the moment!" said the 30-year-old.

Blackburn with Darwen's Mayor, Councillor Jack Bury, said the heroes have put Lancashire on the sporting map.

"I think it is absolutely wonderful and I am going to send them a personal message of congratulations," said Coun Bury. "And I plan to invite them to the Mayor's Parlour to recognise what they have done for the area."

And Chorley Council leader Coun John Wilson said the council would officially recognise Jason's achievement.

Ian, 42, of Beech Street, Great Harwood, was competing on Saturday -- the day he and wife Mary celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary. Mary has forgiven him for not being at home but he could still be in the dog-house on his return after promising his wife he was going to retire after the Games. "We will have to wait and see now after this, he has said it many times before and never done it," she said. "He might be even more spurred on now to carry on but the medal is the perfect anniversary present."

Ian, who has not competed in the Olympics since Seoul on 1988, is the first Great British competitor to win a medal in the trap event since 1968 when Bob Braithwaite -- also from Lancashire -- secured gold.

Ian, an assistant manager at Blackburn Yarn Dyers, on Shadsworth Road, Blackburn, was cheered on all the way by Mary and his two youngsters Christopher, five, and Rebbecca, two-and-a-half.

After shooting for 25 years this was the pinnacle of the former Commonwealth Games and European champion's career and even more than he hoped for himself. His first telephone call was to Mary and after his appearance on the television her home was a hive of activity.

"A few people have rang including his mum Betty," said Mary, a staff nurse at Springhill Nursing Home, in Accrington. "We are all really proud of him."

Jason could have easily missed out on glory altogether. Four years ago he suffered a life-threatening cycling accident when a splinter of wood speared his body while he was riding in Scotland. He required 70 stitches and almost died.

Richard Robert, Jason's nextdoor neighbour in Olive Close said: "It was absolutely fantastic, I'm surprised the whole street didn't hear me cheer him on.

"His girlfriend Victoria asked us to tape him on television and we've kept all the newspapers as well."

East Lancashire's other weekend competitor, Craig Heap from Burnley, came 41st out of 98 in the gymnastic event.

The area's remaining chance of a medal is Accrington-born Geoff Billington, 45, who will be competing in the individual and team showjumping events, starting next Monday.

Ian added: "Jason and I have set the ball rolling, let's just hope it continues!"