OLYMPIC gold medallist Jason Gardener was the special guest at the West Wiltshire Schools Annual Athletics Championships. at the University of Bath on Wednesday.

Bath resident Gardener, who helped Great Britain to gold in the 4x100m relay in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, saw 800 pupils aged 11-16 from schools including Clarendon Academy, John of Gaunt, Kingdown, Matravers, Melksham Oak, St Augustine’s Catholic College, St Laurence, Stonar and Warminster School take part in the event as part of National School Sport Week.

Youth Sport Trust ambassador Gardener kicked off the event by sharing his journey to success and passing on tips to the youngsters.

Selwyn Widger, the PE teacher from Kingdown School, Warminster, who organised the event this year, said: “To be joined by a local legend makes this even more inspirational for the next generation of athletes.

"The fact that these youngsters will be literally following in the footsteps on the same track will be a unique experience.’’

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