THERE were joyous scenes in Shaw as Matt Walls pedalled to a gold medal in his first ever appearance at the Olympics.

Around 80 of Walls' family and friends were watching at The Shawside as Walls won the men's omnium for Great Britain yesterday.

The atmosphere at the sports bar and pool hall on Grains Road was one of hope rather than expectation before the multi-race event started at around 7.30am.

Walls' family and friends knew that the track cyclist was capable of a medal, but also that the field of other cyclists was a strong one.

Mum Lorraine watched from the edge of the crowd, often through her fingers.

Dad Larry, meanwhile, watched from the centre of it.

He warned The Oldham Times he might be 'animated' during an interview earlier in the week, and he was right to do so.

He and others roared Walls on from one race to the next.

The Oldham Times: The crowd realises Walls is a gold medallist.The crowd realises Walls is a gold medallist.

And as Walls crossed the line at the end of the morning's fourth and final race at around 10.30am, a gold medal secured, there was a sudden sense of sheer joy.

People were queueing up to embrace his proud parents.

A stirring rendition of 'Sweet Caroline' soon followed.

Outside The Shawside, there were messages of congratulations for Walls from people across the borough on social media.

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams tweeted: "Amazing result for our local hero from Shaw, Matt Walls, bringing home gold from Tokyo - well done Matt!"

And Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon said: "Massive congratulations to Oldhamer Matt Walls as he wins gold.

"We are very proud of you," he added.

The hard work is not over for Walls, who also is racing alongside teammate Ethan Hayter in the 200-lap men's madison on Saturday.

His family and friends are planning to watch at The Shawside again to see if he can add to an already amazing achievement.