By PA Sport staff

Minister for Sport Richard Caborn has hailed Great Britain's women's curlers after their gold medal success in the Winter Olympics on Thursday.

Rhona Martin's team ended a gold medal drought stretching back 18 years with their 4-3 defeat of Switzerland in Salt Lake City.

And Caborn said: "I want to congratulate them on this amazing achievement.

"Rhona and her team have beaten the odds to give Team GB their best winter Olympics result since 1948 and our first gold medal since 1984.

"Everyone in Britain applauds their guts and determination right down to the last stone.

"It's great news that the UK team will be bringing an Olympic gold medal back to the birthplace of the sport."

British Curling Association chairman Bob Kelly believes the success of the all-Scottish team will have a major boost for the sport across the country.

"I have no doubt the success of the British team will provide greater interest in the sport," said Kelly.

"We have had a lot of interest and there have also been a lot of people in England who have rung up asking where they can play.

"I believe England are going to have their first dedicated curling rink near Cambridge. But it may not be for another year or so."