OLYMPIC boxing hero Amir Khan received a rapturous welcome as he arrived back in Britain.

The 17-year-old silver medallist was greeted by family, friends and hundreds of supporters as he and other members of Britain's Olympic team flew into Gatwick Airport on Monday.

He was met by chants of "Amir, Amir" as girl fans tried to get his autograph and share a few words with the sports star.

Alongside him in the British Olympic team were golden girl Kelly Holmes, who powered to victory in both the 800m and 1,500m races; the men's 4x100m relay team; and rowing champion Matthew Pinsent.

The crowd, packed into the South Terminal to catch a glimpse of some of the stars of the Games in Athens, was celebrating Britain's best performance at an Olympics for two decades.

Amir, of Heaton, will be jetting into Manchester Airport on Tuesday night with his parents, father Shajaad and mother, Falak.

Amir said: "The Olympics has been brilliant for me. I thought I was just going to be there for the experience so that I would have a better idea of what it would be like at the next Games in Beijing.

"I got lots of experience and now I'm definitely going to go to to Beijing and win a gold medal for Great Britain. I'm sure I can do it."

He wants to continue as an amateur until the next Games so he can go one better than the silver medal he won in the lightweight division on Sunday.

He has been the subject of numerous offers to turn professional following a series of scintillating performances over the past two weeks and he has reportedly been offered as much as £400,000 to give up his amateur status.

But Khan, who lost on points to Cuban master Mario Kindelan in the final, has vowed to strike Olympic gold before turning professional.

Plans to keep the Olympic carnival atmosphere going will include receptions at Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. There is also likely to be a parade through London.

In Bolton, council chiefs say there will be a civic reception for Amir on the steps of the town hall at 10.30am on Saturday, hosted by the mayor, Cllr Prentice Howarth.

Cllr Howarth said: "This is our way of congratulating Amir and showing our appreciation. We have been following his success throughout the Games and everyone has been rooting for him.

"We are all really proud of what he has achieved. No doubt he will inspire many people, not only in Bolton, but everywhere."

The possibility of a parade for Amir through the streets of Bolton and Manchester are also being discussed with thousands of fans being expected to line the route. He will parade his medal at Bolton's game against Manchester United on September 11.

Amir said: "It was completely mad at Gatwick. People were chanting my name as if I had won the gold medal."

And Bolton travel agent St Andrew's Travel has helped Amir and his family return from London, after they were unable to get flights. The firm arranged courtesy tickets for the party of 10 with British Midland. Amir and his family are scheduled to land at Manchester Airport at 9.30pm.

All our Olympics reports and a special Amir Khan file of pictures