DIGNITARIES have been lavishing praise on Otley's new World Champion Lizzie Armitstead.

The 26 year old secured a dramatic win in the Road Cycling World Championships in Richmond, Virginia last Saturday.

The victory, which means Lizzie is now the reigning World, Commonwealth and National road race champion, has been hailed by British Cycling as a "landmark moment".

Posting on Twitter just afterwards, Lizzie said: "So many people to thank for supporting me to this moment.

"My dream has come true. I am the World Champion."

Now her hometown is planning to celebrate the achievement in a style to rival the massive party that was thrown following her Olympic silver medal success in 2012.

Town Council Chairman Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield) said: "Otley Town Council joins with the whole Otley community in congratulating Lizzie on her tremendous achievement in becoming Road Cycling World Champion.

"She is a superb sportswoman and a shining example and role model to aspiring cyclists, young and old.

"Our officers are in touch with Lizzie and her family about an appropriate civic celebration, recognising that there will be complex training and travel schedules to consider.

"We know the town will want to commemorate her achievement and celebrate too - it's not every day we have a World Champion.

"Rest assured we will make sure we do Lizzie and her family proud at the right time."

MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) has also written to Leeds City Council to ask for its support in helping Otley stage a civic celebration "for the whole town to enjoy".

He said: "A huge congratulations to Lizzie.

"She is a fantastic role model, not just to cyclists here in Otley but all over the world, so it is only right that her home town celebrates her victory with a civic reception.

"People in Otley are enormously proud of her, a local lass who has conquered the world. She is an inspiration to people to follow their dream.

"Lizzie’s successes have been a huge boost to getting people on their bikes so I hope this further, sensational win will only encourage even more people to get cycling."

Councillor Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) added: "Many dream of being a professional in their chosen sport or activity and almost none make it.

"Not only has Lizzie made it, she's become the best in the sport - remarkable, truly inspiring and worthy of our adulation."

Thousands turned out to show their support when the former Prince Henry's Grammar School student returned from her Olympic heroics three years ago.

On that occasion Lizzie appeared on an open top bus and led a cavalcade of cyclists through the town.