Gold rush goes on as records tumble

There were more gold medals and world records on Sunday as British Paralympians were cheered on by sell-out crowds - as the nation takes the Games to its heart.

The Games is expected to welcome its millionth visitor on Tuesday, and around 10,000 extra tickets are being bought every day as soon as they go on sale, as Paralympic venues experience unprecedented numbers of visitors.

"The whole of the UK has taken the Games to its heart," a Locog spokesman said. "As soon as tickets have been released, they have been snapped up."

Sunday saw another hugely successful haul for Britain with six gold, six silver and one bronze medals.

Paralympians are well ahead of schedule in the targeted medal tally of 103 - having almost reached the half-way point after just four days.

The day got off to a winning start at Eton Dorney, as David Smith, James Roe, Naomi Riches, Pam Relph and cox Lily van den Broecke won gold in the mixed coxed four. They were cheered on by the Duchess of Cambridge, who was later expected to take her seat in the Olympic stadium.

Welshman Aled Davies, 21, later declared himself "the happiest guy on the planet right now" after winning gold in the discus.

There was a dramatic finale to the action in the velodrome in an all-British gold medal contest, which saw Anthony Kappes and Craig MacLean beat Neil Fachie and Barney Storey in the sprint.

Teenage swim sensation Jessica-Jane Applegate, who has just celebrated her 16th birthday, said she was "on cloud nine" after landing gold in the 200m freestyle.

Britain also won gold in the team dressage event Deborah Criddle, Sophie Wells, Lee Pearson and Sophie Christiansen, who also won gold in the single Grade 1A event.