CLAINES Primary School pupils were delighted to welcome Olympic gold medallist Darren Campbell MBE.

The 43-year-old former Great Britain sprinter from Manchester proved a “total inspiration” to the children and some even got to race him.

Campbell, who won a 4x100-metre relay gold medal at Athens 2004 as well as at Commonwealth Games in Malaysia and England, visited as part of a sponsored event organised by Team Super Schools.

Teacher and PE coordinator Laura Skelton said: “It was such a fantastic morning with all children getting to individually meet Darren and have their photo taken with him.

“He joined in some of our whole school aerobics on the playground and loved us singing Wave Your Flag (the school’s annual sports song) to him while waving our individually-handmade flags.

“The school was buzzing and the children were totally inspired by Darren. Our fastest children in each class raced against Darren with the rest of the school cheering them on and waving their flags which had the Olympic values on.

“Some children got to ask Darren their questions and we all saw his gold and silver Olympic medals.

“We were so incredibly lucky to meet such a great-humoured, inspirational person. So many treasured memories were made.”

Campbell told the pupils: “This school is one of the best I have ever visited, definitely one of my top 10, and I’ve been to a lot. You have some very inspirational teachers here.

“I loved this morning. It was like an Olympic spirit within the school — the way you all started with aerobics and your flag song made us all well up.”

Campbell’s visit was part of the village school’s health and fitness week.