'We are Premier League! We are Premier League!' This was the jubliant cry of the crowds and the players alike this evening as more than 40,000 people descended upon the city to celebrate the amazing achievements of Norwich City Football Club this season.

The city became an ocean of yellow and green as huge crowds turned out to congratulate their football heroes, whose hard work and determination has led the Canaries back to the Premier League.

The celebrations began at City Hall which, along with Norwich Castle, was flying the Canaries' flag high, and the lion statues outside the council entrance were wearing football scarves for the occasion.

The excited crowds stretched back from the City Hall steps through the market and beyond, creating an electric atmosphere with their constant flag waving, chanting and cheering.

There were huge roars each time members of the club stepped out onto the balcony to greet the fans. Perhaps the biggest cheers of the night were when the Lord Mayor of Norwich Tom Dylan presented the trophy to player of the season Grant Holt and an explosion of yellow and green confetti filled the air as the trophy was passed along the line for each of the players to raise it with pride.

While the crowds were there to pay an enthusiastic tribute to the city's sporting stars, the football team also used the occasion to say a massive thank you to the fans.

Manager Paul Lambert told the crowds: 'What the lads have done has been monumental and you always go and watch the game to support us. I want to give you a big thanks from myself. You guys have been brilliant and we will need you in the Premier League next season.'

Grant Holt said he could not believe that after being promoted last year they were celebrating again, and he said it was a 'fantastic feeling'.

'I'd like to thank everyone and hopefully we can do you proud in the Premier League,' he said.

Delia Smith, joint majority shareholder of the club, paid tribute to Paul Lambert, the players, and the whole club, and told fans: 'You guys are the tops.'

She said she always felt a bit emotional when she saw all the fans – who she called 'the best supporters in the world' – at the football games. 'I always feel a great bond with you all. One of the things that is wonderful about Norwich City Football Club is that we are one,' she said.

After the balcony appearance and civic reception, the team boarded an open top bus for a parade from Theatre Street to the far end of Castle Meadow. There was a Mexican wave of claps and cheers as the bus passed through the hoards of people lining the route. As the players waved from the bus and held up high their Championship runners-up trophy, they joined in with the fans' chants of 'We are Premier League'.

The city's civic figures also paid tribute to the Canaries.

Laura McGillivray, Norwich City Council chief executive, said: 'We know Norwich is a Premier League city and now it has a Premier League football team. This an incredible achievement by the football club just a year after being promoted from League One.'

Sheriff of Norwich Derek James added: 'City Hall is reaching out to embrace the Carrow Road family on behalf of the citizens of Norwich to thank the club for one of the greatest seasons in its history. Nobody thought Norwich was going to be promoted but we are now in our rightful place at the top of the football world.'

Have you done something unusual to celebrate Norwich City's success? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk