Vaughan thanks supporters

Michael Vaughan was grateful for the terrific reception

England captain Michael Vaughan paid tribute to the fans after the team bus finished its victory parade through the streets of London at Trafalgar Square.

Vaughan and his players had hardly stopped partying since the drawn fifth npower Test with Australia at Lord’s had confirmed a 2-1 Ashes series win.

Pointing to a packed Trafalgar Square, Vaughan said: “This is fantastic, thank you for the support, not just today but all through the season.

“The team have been magnificent, the management have been magnificent and these people have been even better.

“The players deserve a lot of credit, the management have put a lot of hard work in but this is beyond a dream.”

Vaughan admitted England had partied long into the night, adding: “It’s been a long night. We’ve celebrated in true English fashion.”

Andrew Flintoff revealed the team had endured an “emotional rollercoaster” over the past few weeks.

He said: “It has been a great series. It has been an absolute marathon, a mammoth series. The emotional rollercoaster we have been through. What is fantastic is the team spirit.”

Paying tribute to their opponents Australia, Flintoff saluted his team-mates who performed under pressure.

“We played against a great Australia side, full of world-class performers,” he added.

“But one thing that stood out for England was that every time a performance was needed someone stepped up to the plate.”

Kevin Pietersen, whose 158 steered England to Ashes victory, also emphasised the importance of the team.

“I am very happy on a personal level but 23 or 24 players have taken part.

“The number of people who have watched over the last couple of months has been absolutely spectacular. Cricket has been the winner.”

Stephen Harmison (right) was surprised so many supporters had come to London to congratulate England, adding on Sky Sports News: “I knew it was going to be big but I didn’t realise it would be this big - it’s beyond belief.

“It’s important the families are on the bus, they had as big of a role as the players. It’s once in a lifetime and a fantastic occasion.

“They (the children) may not remember it, but after the series and the summer, the 12 people on the bus deserve it because we’ve been the best.

“We’ve come up against teams home and away and they’ve said ‘you’re a good side but you have to play Australia’. If we stick together we can hopefully be the best in the world.”

Of the Australians, he added: “They’re a great side but a great bunch of blokes too, both sets of players can be proud of what they’ve produced.

“We’re going to enjoy the next six weeks then go to Pakistan as holders of the Ashes.”