A COUNCILLOR is making an urgent call for Olympic medallists to appear before crowds on Weymouth Beach.

Ian Bruce, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council ’s spokesman for leisure and tourism, wants visitors and residents to be able to see the sailors, fresh from their success on the water.

He thinks that a glimpse of Team GB’s heroes and heroines will encourage more people into the resort in the evening to spend money.

The medal ceremonies have been taking place at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy – an area the general public has no access to. Coun Bruce said: “The medal sailors should come out and be seen by the general public.

“I know the athletes want to come out and meet the public – at 8pm every evening they could appear at the Live Site and people watching it would go and have a drink, spend money on a meal and come to meet the sailors.”

Coun Bruce said windsurfer Nick Dempsey crossing the water to greet crowds in the Nothe Gardens after his silver medal win shows how much the sailors want to thank the public.

He added: “They all want to thank the public for their support. We also saw that with Ben Ainslie who was appearing all over the place to thank people.

“I’m emailing all the people who can make it happen.

“There needs to be a medal showing for the public.”