SWINDON’S double Olympic silver medallist Jazz Carlin has touched down on home soil with the rest of Great Britain’s triumphant squad.

Gold medal winners Nicola Adams and Max Whitlock led Great Britain's record-breaking Olympians off the plane as stars of Rio 2016 arrived back at Heathrow this morning.

Having exceeded their haul from the London Games of 2012, Team GB brought back 67 medals from the Rio Olympics, their highest number from an overseas Games.

A large number of athletes, including Carlin, who now lives in Bradford on Avon, arrived at Heathrow shortly before 10am.

The British Airways flight back to London saw the athletes post several pictures to social media, with many joining the captain in the cockpit for a photo opportunity and groups gathering for pictures in the cabin.

Carlin, who claimed silver medals in the 400m and 800m freestyle, said she was excited to be back and said how the passengers had broken into a rendition of the of the national anthem for one final time.

Singing the anthem was "the highlight of my flight," tweeted the 25-year-old who brought home silver for both the 400 and 800 metre freestyle in Rio. 

The former Swindonian who trained with local club the Tigersharks arrived at Heathrow shortly before 10am.

"It's great to be back," she tweeted. "So proud to have been part of this team."

She thanked Rio for "such a good send off," as well as British Airways for "Such an amazing reception."

The Boeing 747 flight number BA2016 had VictoRIOus emblazoned on the side of the aircraft and was carrying pole vaults, javelins, bicyles and a 6.7m sail as well as an a extra 77 bottles of Champagne.

During the trip back to London some of the 320 athletes on board posted several pictures to social media, with many joining the captain in the cockpit for a photo opportunity and groups gathering for pictures in the cabin. 

The "most talented" Team GB squad ever took selfies on board the with double gold-medallist Max Whitlock trying out some of his gymnastics routine on the first-class seats.

He and champion boxer Nicola Adams were the first two stars to emerge from the plane and stood at the top of the stairs as the rest of the team filed out to cheers and applause.

Friends, family and well-wishers, adorned with union flags, banners and red, white and blue balloons, waited to welcome home the Olympic heroes.

The stars were greeted with cheers, applause and screams as many supporters rushed to embrace their loved ones after weeks spent thousands of miles apart. Children crouched in front of the barriers clutching small British flags, desperate to glimpse the sporting stars and hoping for an autograph.

Speaking at a press conference, athletes and staff talked to the media about the Games, national pride and athletic funding.

Team GB won 67 medals - 27 golds - and finished second in the table behind the USA.

Many stars of London 2012 successfully defended their crowns four years on, including Mo Farah on the track, Nicola Adams in the boxing ring and Jade Jones on the taekwondo mats.

Just over 35% of British athletes who went to Rio returned with a medal - including every single track cycling member.