A SEA of blue and white swept across Hartlepool town centre yesterday as thousands of football fans turned out to applaud their team's rise to League One. It was a day of celebration in the town, where Pools fans young and old waved flags and banners and sang at the top of their voices to mark the end of a fantastic, record-breaking season.

Hartlepool United's young players were taken on a tour of the town in an open-topped bus, before arriving at the civic centre for a celebratory reception.

As the bus worked its way through the streets, children waved, parents cheered, and drivers sounded their horns.

But as the bus turned into Victoria Road, where the majority of fans were massed, the roar of the crowd rose and the club's signature tune, Rolf Harris' Two Little Boys, began to sound.

It was an emotional moment for everyone - even non-supporters along for the fun of it.

Doreen Ritchie, 80, from Owton Manor, smiled from ear to ear waiting for the team to arrive.

Wearing her blue and white shirt and holding her flag aloft, she said: "I have been a fan since I was eight, when I used to get in for nothing.

"I come to every game with my family - four grandchildren, two daughters and one son - and we all sit together. I think I'm the oldest female season ticket-holder at Pools.

"Today means everything to me. I didn't think we would get this far before Christmas, but now I'm hoping for the same thing next year."

Tim Foster, ten, who attends St Cuthbert's Primary School, was in the crowd with his two-year-old cousin, Ethan Bromley Wilkinson, who attended his first game when he was only six weeks old.

Tim said: "I'm very happy. Next year I want us to go up again."

Andy Glover, 21, from Greatham, said it was a memorable day for everyone.

He said: "It's brilliant. It's the biggest and best season we have had so far.

"Next year, we are hoping for the play-offs, or even automatic promotion. We have got a stronger, better team than when we were in League One before, so we can do it."

Mayor of Hartlepool and former Pools mascot Stuart Drummond was the first to congratulate the players on their promotion and record-breaking season.

He said they had gone 24 league games without defeat, had played for 850 minutes without conceding a goal, and had amassed 88 points by the end of the season.

He said: "After the disappointment of last season, credit has to go to Danny Wilson (manager), all the players, and chairman Ken Hodcroft. You have done the town proud.

"In my opinion, this is the best professional side that has ever played for Hartlepool United."

Team captain Micky Barron was presented with a silver salver to enormous cheers from the crowd.

He said the success of the team had been down to hard work and the strong bond between all the players.

"I think you can see the togetherness we have got," he said.

"Every one of the lads is good friends and the support we have had from everyone has been fantastic.

"They have dragged us through when we needed them."

Manager Danny Wilson thanked the fans and praised the team for their hard work.

He said: "It's very unusual that any team, no matter what level they play at, can put a run like that together.

"They can go as far as they want. It's not just a better team - it's about everybody pulling together. Let's hope we can have the same success we have had this year."