Thousands greet England side on victory parade

England's World Cup-winning rugby players paraded through London today as up to 750,000 fans turned the streets into a carnival…

England's World Cup-winning rugby players paraded through London today as up to 750,000 fans turned the streets into a carnival.

In remarkable scenes, much of the English capital was brought to a standstill as fans formed a two-mile-long scrum waving flags, banners and cheering along their heroes.

Captain Martin Johnson, star player Jonny Wilkinson and the rest of the squad travelled on three open-top buses from Marble Arch to Trafalgar Square. England flags and red and white bunting lined much of the route.

Tens of thousands of fans, many of whom had been waiting since the early hours, packed Trafalgar Square and renditions of Swing Low Sweet Chariot broke out as the buses approached. On board the lead double-decker, England players said they could not believe what they were seeing.

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Johnson told fans in Trafalgar Square that the reception was "mindblowing".

Prop Jason Leonard said: "This is absolutely fantastic. So many people out there have turned out to show their appreciation of us and allow us to do the same to them.

"I don't think we will take the smiles off our faces all day."

Neil Back added: "It is incredible, I don't think any of us here will forget this day for the rest of our lives. We were amazed at the turn-out at Heathrow when we got back and we are amazed at this even more so."

Northampton scrum-half Matt Dawson said the parade was like nothing he had ever experienced before.

"It feels surreal. I don't think anyone was quite expecting this sort of occasion," he said. "It is a fantastic place to be for us and it looks like it is a fantastic place to be for the supporters as well."

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone paid tribute to England's heroism down under by awarding the team the Freedom of the City of Greater London.