SPORTING heroes have helping inspire pupils in both Devizes and Lavington to reach their full potential.

Olympic silver medallist Heather Fell was at Lavington School on Monday to work with boys aged 13 and 14 raise their aspirations and have the confidence to work towards good careers.

The modern pentathlete, who won silver in Beijing, put a group of 18 teenagers from Year 9 through a number of exercises in both the sports hall and classroom as part of Sky's Living For Sport programme.

Assistant head Lisa Adams said: "It is all about raising aspirations and getting the pupils to realise that higher skills are going to be needed for jobs by 2025 and they need to be thinking about careers and choices now."

This year the school is aiming to help boys feel more confident after last year concentrating on the This Girl Can project.

Commonwealth judo silver medal winner Tom Reed returned to Devizes School, where he was once a pupil, to give advice to other up and coming athletes.

Devizes School has set up its own sports academy under the leadership of teacher Jason Carter and Mr Reed spoke to them about the competing demands of managing their sporting requirements, academic needs and social development.

Mr Carter said: "The school wants to work closely with family members, athletes and mentors to ensure that the Sports Academy students receive the best support possible in line with the three pillars of the academy.

"Tom Reed's visit was just one of the specially booked visits and events that the sports academy students can expect in the coming year while at school. The academy students will also attend workshops have access to a personal trainer session every week."

The judo expert also worked with other students as part of the Sky Living For Sports project and taught them some moves.