THE Olympics are over but we can bask for a few more days in the reflected glory of our brilliant Olympic squad, writes CLAIRE PERRY.

We have been pondering at home what a per capita medal table would reveal and indeed I tried to set just that calculation as back to school homework for the younger members of the family.

The storm of scorn and disdain with which this was greeted means that the task is still not done, but I suspect that Great Britain would still have done well. And hopefully the Games will have inspired many of us to be just a bit more active – I have certainly been enjoying the warm evenings from my road bike this week.

There was very sad local news to temper the celebrations however, when we learned that Coun Pete Smith from Devizes had died.

Pete was a much-loved Devizes town councillor, former Mayor, and member of the hilarious MajorWrecks dance troupe.

We were sometimes on different sides of local politics but I had enormous respect and affection for Pete and we always shared a giggle and a hug when we met. He was an absolute livewire and a true gentleman, devoted to his family and his town, and we will all miss him.

I know I have written on the subject many times before but we are so fortunate to have such dedicated town and unitary councillors; active parish councils; volunteers running Community Area Partnerships; many people working to support wonderful organisations like the Friends of Savernake Hospital or Julia’s House Hospice; people willing to be school governors – the list goes on.

Many of those giving their time will never get to wear the red mayoral robes of their local towns, or indeed cavort through the streets dressed as a male cheerleader, but they all deserve our heartfelt thanks.

Finally, I have been highly entertained by the railway antics of Mr Corbyn this week, walking past empty train seats and then crouching outside a train toilet door to make a video about seat shortages on a supposedly 'ram-packed' train.

Some trains are indeed far too overcrowded (and that is a big part of the reason for this Government’s unprecedented investment in new trains) but Mr Corbyn does himself no favours with this sort of political nonsense. At least he won't have any trouble finding a seat when we return to Parliament.

Given that many of his shadow ministers have resigned rather than serve under his bizarre form of leadership, the Labour front bench is anything but ram-packed.