THE new Formula One world champion, Damon Hill, arrived in Britain last night to chaotic scenes at Heathrow airport.

The 36-year-old driver and his wife, Georgie, needed 15 minutes to make their way through the arrivals concourse at Terminal Four as they were mobbed by 300 cheering fans.

Hill, who clinched the world title by his emphatic victory in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix, stopped to talk to fans, who waved union flags and clamoured for autographs.

He was escorted by half-a-dozen police officers who shouted at the crowd to keep back.

Hill said: "I'm very happy, to be home, it's a fantastic reception. I just want to thank everyone for turning up and making it so fantastic.

"I'm going to go back to London now and I'm going to rest up, then tomorrow I'm out for a few pictures in London."

He is to attend a celebration party in London later this week.

He spent Sunday night partying with Georgie, close friends and members of the Williams team at a hotel in Suzuka.

Yesterday, he was whisked to Tokyo on the 160 m.p.h. Bullet Train to undertake publicity appearances and meet the world's press.

Hill is the first son of a former world champion to lift the crown. His late father Graham was champion in 1962 and 1968.

Hill was looking forward to a reunion soon with children Oliver, seven, Joshua, five, and Tabitha, one.

The family live Dalkey, in an exclusive mansion on the fringes of Dublin bay.

He was also expected to be reunited soon with his mother Bette, who was babysitting the children while he was performing his heroics in Japan, plus sisters Brigitte and Samantha.