CASEY Stoney and the England women’s team were greeted as heroes as they touched down at Heathrow yesterday.

Supporters inspired by their third-placed finish at the World Cup arrived at the airport to meet their heroes as they touched down early yesterday.

Stoney, who grew up in Wickford, was greeted at the airport by her two twins, Teddy and Tilly, and partner Megan Harris.

Despite losing their opening group game to France, England defeated Mexico and Colombia before going on to beat Norway and hosts Canada in the knockout stages.

They lost in the semi-final to Japan but bounced back to beat Germany 1-0 in the third and fourth-placed play-off.

Outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter hailed England’s performance as “inspiring”.

He tweeted: “An inspiring performance by the Lionesses in Canada. Congratulations England on making #FIFAWWC history.”