A GOLD winning South African rower showed off his medal to churchgoers in Marlow after staying with a family from the town for a week.

Lawrence Ndlovu, who competed with the SA lightweight four, gained an historic victory in front of a large crowd at Dorney Lake.

He took the first ever rowing Gold Medal for South Africa, pushing Team GB into Silver Medal position.

As part of the united churches More Than Gold Programme he stayed with Marlow couple Sue and Paddy Gallaugher for a week along with his girl friend Marcia.

Lawrence and Marcia went to Marlow Methodist Church's Sunday Live Service.

Jackie Duxbury, Senior Steward at the church, said: "The crowd was not quite as large at the church as Dorney Lake, but the applause was no less rapturous - children crowded round to see Lawrence’s magnificent medal and to hear him talk about the hard road to victory."

And Jackie managed to get her hands on the medal.

"It was amazing to get a chance to hold it and he was such a nice guy," she said.

Lawrence, a Christian, explained how he got just two rest days a year and revealed his battle with asthma.

He said he needed to be as disciplined in his prayer life as he was in his physical training.

Marcia said despite the amount of time away from her boyfriend: "Thursday felt like the best day in my life. I am so happy."

Reverend David Miller said: "We pray that God will be close to both of you, whether in the boat, or waiting on the shore and let’s all keep the flame of faith alive wherever we are, whether in Marlow or South Africa. If we do that, we will surely win the best prize ever."