The Mansfield Chad has been revelling in the town’s first-ever Olympic gold medallist.

Today’s edition of the Johnston Press-owned weekly carries a front page lead coupled with extensive inside and back page coverage of local girl Rebecca Adlington.

The 19-year-old surprised many by winning the 400m freestyle at the Beijing Olympics on Monday by just 7/100ths of a second.

The win is even sweeter for the Mansfield teenager as the 400m is considered her weaker event – she is favourite to take gold in the 800m freestyle.

Chad editor Jeremy Plews said: “We’re doing quite a lot on it from a news perspective in the paper and also on our website.

“We’ve been carrying extensive coverage since Monday and treating it as a major story.

“We’ve had medallists in European competitions but I don’t know of any Olympic ones.

“It’s the first Games we’ve had so much close involvement with.”

The Chad has interviews with Rebecca’s hometown coach and family who have found themselves at the centre of the media spotlight in Mansfield after being unable to attend the race in person.

They fell victim to an internet con but have since bought tickets are due to fly out today.

Jeremy added: “There’s a lot of interest in Mansfield as it’s such an unusual thing for us.

“There’s talk of giving her the freedom of the district and there’ll be quite a lot of celebrating when she comes back.”

Rebecca is Britain’s first female Olympic swimming champion since 1960 and still has the 800m freestyle and 4x200m relay to come.

The baths in Mansfield where she first learnt to swim are set to be renamed in her honour when they reopen.

Once the Games are over, The Chad can look forward to following three local athletes at the Paralympics, due to start on September 6.