CHILDREN at a Southampton school were put through their paces by one of Britain’s top athletes.

European Athletics bronze medallist in the 400m, Luke Lennon-Ford, paid a visit to Valentine Primary School in Sholing as part of the Sports for Schools initiative.

The athlete showed youngsters how he gets ready for the big events and led an assembly which saw him showing children warm-up activities.

After that more than 500 children from Years 1 to 6 took part in training circuits which saw them do star jumps, leg presses and push ups.

PE teacher at Valentine Primary School, Aaron Evans, said: “It was a brilliant day and I am buzzing about it and so are the children.

“At the end of the assembly he asked if the children would take up after-school clubs and lots of hands were raised because of how much he had inspired them.”

The Sports for Schools scheme sees athletes visit a primary school accompanied by an event host to inspire children and raise money for PE equipment in schools.