Britain's first-ever World Championship heptathlon gold medal winner grinned and waved excitedly at the scores of supporters who had braved the rain to help celebrate her success.

Dressed in a smart navy dress and black cardigan, her glitzy gold shoes gave away her glam side – reinforced later with the presentation of a surprise gift from leader of the council Coun Paul Scriven.

As he handed over a gift-wrapped box containing a posh Mulberry designer handbag he said: "This is from the 530,000 people of Sheffield – this is our prize to you, our golden girl, our special champion."

Cameras snapped relentlessly as she wrestled with the wrapping paper to reveal the stylish bag – an item for her wardrobe she has apparently hankered after for years.

Addressing the cheering crowd – most of her whom waved Union Jack flags from beneath their umbrellas and some who had brought along congratulatory banners – 23-year-old Jessica said: "Thank you all for turning up here today when it's so wet and horrible. It's so nice to see you all here and you deserve a big round of applause!

"It's so great to come here after all the support I have had from the city, not just this year but last year when I was injured. It was such a horrible, horrible time but I received lots of messages of support and you were all behind me.

"Being able to bring a gold medal back to Sheffield has been amazing. Hopefully I can continue to win some more and do Sheffield proud in London 2012."

The former King Ecgbert's school pupil from Woodseats also received a canteen of Sheffield-made cutlery, presented by Mayor Coun Graham Oxley.
He said: "Jessica you are a great credit to your home city and a role model for young people.

"On behalf of the people of Sheffield may I offer my heartfelt congratulations on your tremendous feat, beating the rest of the world to win a gold medal."

Among the crowd which had gathered around the Peace Gardens stage was Brightside MP David Blunkett and Attercliffe MP Clive Betts, as well as Sheffield Labour leader Coun Jan Wilson.

She said: "It's a tremendous achievement for a Sheffield lass, and now we want her to be picked as the Sports Personality of the Year. We'll be supporting the campaign from now until December to help make that happen. To have the awards in Sheffield, and for Jessica to win, would just be the icing on the cake."

There was even a message from Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

In a letter read out by Coun Oxley he said: "I wanted to wish you the very best as you celebrate this evening with the people of your native Sheffield.

"I know that the whole country and especially this city are so proud to share in your success of becoming World Champion in Berlin. I am very pleased to thank and congratulate all those people in Sheffield who have given you the support and encouragement to excel.

"Jessica, your courage and determination will inspire people across
Britain as we prepare for further success at the London Olympics in 2012."

After the public event – which also included performances from elite martial arts group Team Evolution – Jessica, her family, and her coach Toni Minichiello enjoyed a civic reception in the Town Hall.

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