Fans lined the streets five or six deep in places to cheer on Harry Redknapp's team, who beat Cardiff 1-0 in the Final at Wembley.

It is the first time the Premiership club have lifted the trophy for nearly 70 years, and the fans, so starved of success, turned out in force.

The players, staff and families and the Cup were on three open-top buses that snaked through the city centre.

Fans hung from windows, lamp posts, and even took over a busy roundabout to say thanks for the success.

The victory parade is in stark contrast to ugly scenes witnessed in Manchester last week when a minority of Rangers fans went on the rampage after their side lost the Uefa Cup Final.

The club and city council did not contemplate cancelling the victory parade in the light of the troubles, even though Manchester City Council have said they will not allow Manchester United a similar event if they win the Champions League Final on Wednesday.

Hampshire Police said they arrested only 10 people after the Finalfor public disorder and assault offences, and they thanked the fans for their behaviour.

The fact Portsmouth have only won the Cup twice - the first being in 1939 - was one of the primary reasons why so many fans came out.

Kieran Matthews, 32, from Hilsea, and his sons David, 11, and Daniel, seven, said: "It's a great achievement for the city and the club, which has had some hard times before Harry turned up, so we thought we'd come and give them a cheer," he said.