IT took Olympic boxing star Amir Khan just 97 seconds to defeat his semi-final opponent, Baik-Jong Sub, in Athens.

But back in Bolton at the weekend, the 17 year-old wonderkid spent far longer than 97 minutes meeting fans and signing autographs at a celebration in his honour.

Thousands turned out to salute the "Heaton Destroyer" -- the youngest boxer to win a medal in the last 50 years -- as he travelled through Bolton on an open-topped bus.

As he made the journey from his Heaton home to Bolton Town Hall on Saturday, excited crowds cheered on Amir, waving banners, Union flags and even boxing gloves.

The former Smithills School pupil, wearing his Great Britain tracksuit, wore a beaming smile as he waved to the packed crowds.

Amir was joined on the bus by up to 50 family and friends, including father Shah and coach Mike Jelley, who had both become celebrities in TV interviews during the Games.

The one-mile journey took around half-an-hour before Amir got off the bus at Bolton Town Hall, where more than 2,000 people were waiting to catch a glimpse of him.

As he emerged on to the town hall steps clutching his silver medal, the crowd erupted to the opening bars of rock band Queen's "We Will Rock You".

He was then joined by his family, including his tearful mum Falak, overwhelmed at the reception for her son.

The Mayor, Cllr Prentice Howarth, addressed the crowd, saying that Amir had "put Bolton firmly on the world map in the biggest ever letters".

Amir thanked the crowd for coming to see him, saying: "I appreciate all your support, and thank you for getting out of your beds to come and see me.

And he pledged: "I'll be back with the gold next time."

Amir then signed autographs and attended a civic reception in the town hall where he was presented with a photograph of himself with Bolton's former Olympic stars, which was taken before he left for Athens.

His father Shah said: "We did not expect this sort of reception. When we set off on the bus, people were waving and shouting and it was incredible."

Amir thanked coach Mick Jelley and family and friends for their constant and loyal support.

He presented Jelley with the boxing vest he wore in the Olympic final, emblazoned with the message: "Thanks for getting me to the Olympics '04, love Amir."

Amir said: "It was fantastic to see all the Boltonians. There were so many people there. People were coming to shake my hand and ask for my autograph and it was brilliant.

"When we were on the bus, people were even coming out of their homes to see me. It was great. I never expected it. It has been an honour.

"At eight or nine years old I knew I wanted to be a boxer and be famous. I always wanted to make Bolton and my family proud so this has been very special.

"You'll see me back here in four years bringing back a gold medal for Bolton."

The talented teenager says he will now be taking a break from boxing to recover after the Olympics.

He said: "When I got home, the first thing I wanted to do was see my family and put my feet up with a cup of tea and do something normal.

"I've been to the gym, but have only been hitting the bags and seeing my friends, not proper training. I'm going to take a month or two off now and relax and spend time with my friends.

"I'll be out and about on my driving lessons from next week. If anyone sees me, they should probably stay out of my way.

"Things will get back to normal soon, and you will see me out and about, wandering round town with my friends and messing about. I'm just a normal 17 year-old with a life and a lot of friends."

Cllr Howarth said: "He is a role model for people in Bolton and people can be proud to be from the same town as Amir Khan. He and his family have done more for race relations in the town than anyone else in the last 40 years."

Sarah Grundy, aged 19, of Chorley New Road, Horwich, watched the ceremony draped in a Union Flag.

"It's brilliant what he's done for Bolton and it's great that so many people have turned up to see him here today," she said. "He's made so many people proud to come from Bolton."

Eddie Birchall, aged 40, made a huge banner congratulating Khan and Mick Jelley.

The organiser at New Bury and Farnworth Boxing Club said: "I got up at 7am to start making this because I'm just so proud. Amir came down to the club a few times and he's such a nice lad."

Michael Walsh, aged eight, of Bradford Road, Great Lever, who was watching the ceremony with his dad Roy, said: "He is definitely the best of all the British people at the Olympics because he is so young.

"We came here today because we wanted to give him a big cheer for winning a silver medal."