Sporting hero Dean Macey refused a reception with the Queen to mark his Olympic success claiming he had not "done anything special".

The 26-year-old from Canvey also turned down a hero's party by Castle Point Council in his honour to spend time with his family.

He said: "I feel I've not done anything special that's worth celebrating. When I win a medal, then I'll celebrate."

Dean narrowly missed a medal after coming fourth in the decathlon last month.

He said: "I don't want to celebrate fourth place, I want to celebrate a gold. I don't really feel I've done enough.

"I've been invited to Buckingham Palace but I'm not going there either. I want the month off for myself.

"What I've done is nothing special to me, I've come fourth before."

Macey, who honed his talent at the Castle Point Athletics Club, Waterside Farm, Canvey, said the council's cash should be ploughed elsewhere.

He said: "Put it towards a youth centre or something. That money would be much better spent on someone who really needs some help."

And when Macey does clinch gold - then he will celebrate.

He said: "There'll be a huge party - don't you worry about that. We'll have a street party and everyone's invited."