Great Britain's Olympic and Paralympic stars will be honoured with back-to-back victory parades in Manchester and London, Sports Minister Tracey Crouch has announced.

The events, which will take place on October 17 and October 18 respectively, will celebrate the achievements of Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes who landed a total of 91 gold medals between them.

Crouch said: 'The achievements of Team GB and ParalympicsGB made the whole country proud so it is only right that we host fitting celebrations to mark their incredible performances in Rio.

'Our athletes are an inspiration to millions and gave us so many fantastic medal moments that will live long in the memory.

'I know that Manchester - a city with a rich sporting history - and London, with its strong links with the Olympic and Paralympic Games, will host brilliant celebrations that will give the British public a chance to say thank you to our amazing athlete heroes.'

The announcement follows the successful conclusion of the Rio 2016 Paralympics in which Great Britain claimed a total of 147 medals, emulating their Team GB counterparts in securing second place in the medals table.

Success from our region came in the form Jody Cundy, who won two golds, Alfie Hewett with two silvers and Jessica-Jane Applegate who won two silvers and a bronze.

ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe said: 'The ParalympicsGB team have delivered an amazing, awe-inspiring performance in Rio at this Paralympic Games.

'We have had the most competitive team at the most competitive Games resulting in second place on the medal table with 147 medals, 64 of those gold.

'We know those performances have excited and energised the public back home and so it is right and fitting that in both Manchester and London the athletes will receive a welcome from those cities and the public can see some of their heroes back on home soil.'