Nailsworth rower Peter Reed had his hands full when he collected his MBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

The 27-year-old, fresh from his victory with new partner Andy Hodge at the first World Cup regatta in Spain, was reluctant to show his hands to the Queen after being asked if they were rough from competing.

"She asked me how my season was going and she asked me if my hands were rough from all the rowing," said Peter, a Royal Navy Lieutenant.

"I told her that we won the World Cup on Sunday and I showed her my hands, which I am ashamed to say are not really fit for the Queen."

Peter and Hodge were gold medallists in Beijing as part of the men’s four.

He was given an open-top bus parade through his home town, along with marathon runner Dan Robinson, upon their return from the games (video below).

The aim in 2012 will be to pick up where British oarsmen left off in Beijing 2008, where their best Olympic medal haul of four golds, one silver and a bronze made them the top sailing nation.