Great Britain celebrated their first gold medal of the London Olympic Games after Helen Glover and Heather Stanning, based in Reading, stormed to victory in the final of the women's pair.
Glover and Stanning destroyed the field, winning by more than a length to make history at Eton Dorney as the first British female rowers to be crowned Olympic champions.
Australia pipped world champions New Zealand to win silver but neither crew was able to live with the blistering pace set by the British pair.
Great Britain's (right to left) Melanie Wilson, Debbie Flood, Frances Houghton and Beth Rodford in action in the women's quadruple sculls. Credit: Stephen Pond/PA Wire
A number of rowers from the South will be competing in Olympic finals today - as the women's pair, quadruple sculls and the men's eight take to the water in the next few hours.
Many of those taking part come from Leander club in Henley, including Frances Houghton and Debbie Flood in the women's quadruple sculls.
Torch 'kiss' as Olympic Flame is handed to Sir Steve
Rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave receives the Olympic Torch in Henley-on-Thames as he's interviewed by the media Credit: Helen Burkhalterir Steve Redgrave carrying the Olympic Flame on a boat on the River Thames on the Torch Relay leg between Wallingford and Henley on Thames Credit: Joe Giddens/PA WireSir Steve Redgrave carrying the Olympic Flame on a boat on the River Thames on the Torch Relay leg between Wallingford and Henley on Thames. Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire
More than 700 people have signed a petition for a statue of George Harrison in Henley. James Lambert would like the monument to be erected in the market place. The former Beatle lived in Friar Park from 1970 until his death in 2001.
The campaign has received the backing of Henley MP John Howell and a number of town councillors.
