Tens of thousands of cricket fans are expected to pack the streets of London on Tuesday to celebrate England's stunning Ashes win.

Sports lovers will turn out in their droves to cheer captain Michael Vaughan and his victorious team as they tour the capital in an open-topped bus before holding a special presentation ceremony in Trafalgar Square.

Finally, the triumphant heroes will head to Lord's, the home of cricket, where they will present the tiny trophy to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) for safe keeping.

The great and the good have been queuing up to congratulate the team since they finally overcame Australia on Monday in one of the tightest and most dramatic Test series in living memory.

The Queen, who is patron of the MCC, hailed their "magnificent achievement" in securing the Ashes after 18 years of frustration and defeat.

She watched the thrilling game unfold while on her annual holiday at Balmoral and declared: "My warmest congratulations to you, the England cricket team and all in the squad for the magnificent achievement of regaining the Ashes.

"This has been a truly memorable series and both sides can take credit for giving us all such a wonderfully exciting and entertaining summer of cricket at its best."

Meanwhile, prime minister Tony Blair, who has been closely tracking progress during his visit to the Far East, wrote in a letter to Vaughan: "By bringing the Ashes back after so long you have given cricket a huge boost and lit up the whole summer."

Bookies William Hill said £50million had been gambled on the outcome of the Ashes, making it the biggest betting series ever.

Bets poured in for the fifth and final match at the Oval, which had £15million riding on the result - the biggest ever Test-match gamble.

Hundreds of fans clambered on to roofs and peered through gates in a bid to get a glimpse of live play, since tickets had long been sold out.

Millions more watched with baited breath as the action unfolded, whether on televisions in offices or packed into pubs to share the tension with supporters of both sides.

The players' families were among the most excited, with pace bowler Steve Harmison's grandmother admitting to "doing the conga" when victory came.

Brenda Harmison, of Ashington, Northumberland, said: "I am very proud, all the family is down in London.

"I have done the conga right the way around the house and I am very pleased for them all.

"The whole country has gone mad for cricket."

Flintoff's grandparents Colin and Elsie Flintoff were glued to the television at their home in Preston, Lancashire. As the famous urn was presented to Freddie and his victorious team-mates, Mrs Flintoff, 78, said: "We are very, very proud of him.

"He is a smashing lad and we all love him to bits. But he is still just Andrew to us."

The victory bus will leave from near Mansion House in east London at about 11am on Tuesday, head along Cannon Street and pass by St Paul's Cathedral.

The tour will end in a special presentation ceremony at Trafalgar Square between 12.30pm and 1pm.

The team will then go to Lord's cricket ground, where Vaughan will hand the urn over to the MCC.

A spokesman for London Mayor Ken Livingstone said that final touches were being put in place to ensure the day was enjoyed by everyone.

The route will be as follows: Walbrook, Mansion House Street, Queen Victoria Street, Friday Street, Cannon Street, St Paul's Churchyard, Ludgate Hill, Fleet Street, The Strand, Duncannon Street and Trafalgar Square.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police will attend the parade and rolling road closures will be in force.