The Royal Mail might have failed to deliver for Kent's Winter Olympics hero, but a golden tribute to Lizzy Yarnold has been unveiled today.

Bus company Arriva have sprayed a bus running on its 478 route gold to celebrate the former Maidstone Grammar School for Girls pupil's success.

The bus took to the roads today after spending a week being resprayed in Watford.

It will cover a route that runs through West Kingsdown, the 25-year-old's home town, on its way to Swanley.

The Sochi 2014 gold medalist said: "The support I've had from the local community in West Kingsdown has been amazing – it really helped me whilst I was in Sochi, knowing that there were so many people behind me and cheering me on back home.

"I hope everyone enjoys riding the gold bus and it brings a smile to a few faces!"

Richard Lewis, regional publicity manager for Arriva, said: "We are proud of Lizzy's achievement and, as we serve her local community, we felt that a gold bus would be a fitting way to draw attention to her success.

"Unlike a post box, our bus will be seen by large numbers of people every day over a wide area as it travels between Lizzy's home village and the nearby town of Swanley."

Last month, the Royal Mail said it would not paint a post box gold for Yarnold - like it did for London 2012 Olympics gold medal winners.