PROUD Chorley has well and truly secured its place on the world sporting map -- after two competitors clinched three Olympic medals between them at Sydney 2000.

And not only that -- before the Games even began a thrilled Chorley man had the amazing honour of carrying the Olympic torch into Sydney!

Golden boy Jason Queally is set to receive a rapturous welcome home after his two-wheeled triumph.

The champion cyclist from Olive Close, Whittle-le-Woods, bagged Britain's first gold medal of the Millennium Olympic Games in the 1km cycling time trial.

And the success continued for 30-year-old Jason and the British team with a follow up silver medal in the sprint team event.

Brindle horsewoman Jeanette Brakewell got on the medal trail herself with a sensational silver in the Three Day Event.

And stunned Simon Tulson is still getting over the excitement of being chosen as torch bearer.

Jason said: "Two medals in one Games -- it will take quite a while to sink in. I just can't sleep at the moment!"

Whittle-le-Woods ward councillor Eric Bell said: "When we found out Jason lives in Whittle we were highly delighted.

"He has been here only a couple of months, but he's still a Whittler as far as we are concerned. He is going to be very popular. It's good news for Chorley -- we're on the world stage now."

And speaking of Chorley's overall success he joked: "It must be something we have in the water!"

Councillor Jack Wilson, leader of Chorley Borough Council, said: "We are delighted he lives in the borough and when he returns we will find a suitable way of recognising his achievements."

And it was over to 26-year-old Brindle rider Jeanette Brakewell to continue the Chorley successes of the first few days, winning a silver medal on her horse Over to You as part of the British Three Day Event team.

Despite Ian Stark and horse Jaybee retiring after a fall in the cross-country section, Jeanette, and fellow equestrian team members Leslie Law and Pippa Funnell, clung on to silver medal hopes, scooping Britain's first Olympic equestrian medal since 1988.

Clearly delighted, Jeanette -- who has been riding since she was four years old -- said: "I'm going to sleep with this medal under my pillow at night. An Olympic silver medal is the pinnacle of my career."

Jeanette's aunty, Joan Brakewell told the Chorley Citizen: "We are so proud. We have been taping it for the last three nights. It was a very proud moment when she received her medal.

"Obviously the Olympics are the top, but Jeanette is 26 so there is plenty of time for other achievements," she added.