The Brownlee brothers caused a splash at Hampton Pool when they popped in for a training swim before heading to the Olympic parade in central London.

The triathletes put in a few lengths at the open air pool in High Street, Hampton, before chatting and posing for photographs with staff and fans.

The brothers, from Leeds, became the first British siblings to stand on the same Olympic podium in more than a century when Alistair, 24, won the gold medal and Jonny, 22, picked up the bronze.

They were among the hundreds of British Olympic and Paralympic athletes who took part in a victory parade through central London on Monday, September 10.

Alex Wallace, duty manager at Hampton Pool, said: “They were down here for the parade and heard about the pool and came and did a 45 minute swim.

“Then they got out and spoke to a few members of staff. They said the pool was great and possibly they would come back.”

Some other swimmers, who were enjoying the 36m heated pool set in two acres of woodland next to Bushy Park, recognised the pair following their Olympic success.

The brothers did not give staff any notice they were going to turn up.

Mr Wallace added: “Everyone took photos and they were chatting to the staff and being friendly. They spoke to a few customers as well, obviously people recognised them.

“A few people wondered what was going on when they just walked out on to the poolside.”  

Double gold medal winner Mo Farah, who trained for nine years at St Mary’s University, Strawberry Hill, joined British athletes including Jessica Ennis and Jonnie Peacock for the victory parade of 21 open-top floats through the city.

A million spectators lined the streets to watch them and a fly-past featuring the Red Arrows. 

Simon Bailey, general manager of Hampton Pool, said: “We have had a lot of great athletes at the pool recently but the Brownlee brothers are the icing on the cake.”