ENGLAND returned home from their impressive World Cup showing to be greeted by fans at Heathrow airport - with Sunderland-born midfielder Jill Scott now wanting the team's performance to continue to catch the public's imagination.

Mark Sampson's side finished third at the tournament in Canada following Saturday night's 1-0 play-off victory over Germany.

A Fara Williams penalty deep into extra-time secured the squad the bronze medal and the best finish by any team at a World Cup since the men were victorious at Wembley in 1966.

And now Scott, who will return to club duty with Manchester City as early as Sunday, is determined for the inspiration of the Lionesses' displays in Canada to live on having seen supporters welcome the players home despite the fact they arrived back into London at 7.30am.

"It is fantastic," she said of the turn-out.

"For me, being at other tournaments and coming back to the airport and having no-one here. Obviously we haven't done as well as this in the past, a lot of girls will be in disbelief and hopefully we can keep inspiring girls to go out and buy boots and get out on the football pitch.

"The messages we have received along the way are the best one, daughters asking for a football, a pair of boots or a shirt with your name on it is just fantastic.

"Hopefully we can keep going now and get the crowds out, keep the interest going - we said we wanted to go away and inspire a nation and hopefully that is what we have done."

With a visit from Birmingham, who sit just two points below City in the Women's Super League table, Scott knows she cannot start looking back on the tournament just yet, with celebrations also kept to a minimum.

She said: "It is a fantastic feeling to be back home, we have been away for around 42 days and it is a long time not to see your family and friends.

"It is fantastic to come home with a bronze medal and now we can get back to club training, we have all got games at the weekend so it will be a quick turnaround.

"I think it will be great looking back once we have a chance to reflect, it has been a bit of a whirlwind to be honest - we have had some fantastic results along the way and has been an unbelievable effort.

"On the last night we did get to have a little drink together and celebrate - I think we all deserved a cheeky glass of wine after we picked up our medals."