Beth Tweddle, the Liverpudlian gymnast who won her second world title at the O2 Arena in southeast London on Sunday, is to receive a letter of congratulations from the Prime Minister after The Times reported that her achievement had gone unrecognised.

Downing Street released a statement from Gordon Brown on Sunday congratulating Jenson Button for winning the Formula One drivers' championship in Brazil within an hour of the British driver taking the chequered flag, but although Tweddle had won her world title three hours earlier, she had not received any communication from the Prime Minister's office by the time she spoke to The Times yesterday afternoon.

Although more mildly miffed than moaning, Tweddle did joke that Button must be more important than she is to receive congratulations so quickly.

A Downing Street spokeswoman confirmed today that the Prime Minister would be writing to both Tweddle and Button to praised their achievements. "He is very proud that Britain had two world champions on Sunday and will be writing to Beth Tweddle," she said.

"He did not telephone Button after his win," the official added, although the speed with which the statement was issued on Sunday suggests that the Prime Minister was taking a closer interest in the Brazilian Grand Prix than he had been in events at the O2 earlier that afternoon.

"We can be proud that Jenson is the tenth British driver to win the title," the statement from the Prime Minister read. "His performances over the season have excited Formula One fans in Britain and across the world and we look forward to his continuing success."

Tweddle is the only British gymnast to have won a world title. Indeed she was the first Briton to win a medal of any colour at the World Championships when she claimed a bronze on the uneven bars in 2003. She was invited to tea with Cherie Blair after winning her first world title in 2006. Downing Street said it was too early to say whether a similar invitation to meet Sarah Brown would be forthcoming.

Button was installed as the 4-7 favourite to be named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Tweddle, who came third in the award in 2006, is joint-fifth favourite with Andrew Flintoff, behind Button, Jessica Ennis, Andrew Strauss and David Haye.

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