Iconic Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes visited pupils at a Canning Town school as part of an action-packed, one-off, inspirational timetable.

The double gold-winning middle distance runner visited Eastlea School, in Pretoria Road, to meet the young people, answer their questions, and deliver an interactive workshop, involving equipment such as batak boards and rowing machines, before the Games come to the borough this summer.

In addition to meeting an international athlete, Lucky Year Nine pupils were exempt from normal lessons to spend time with Mike Mullen, a former BMX world champion, who stayed for the entire day, managing directors of supporting companies such as General Electric.

A touch more fun was added to the proceedings when the Olympic Mascots themselves, Wenlock and Mandeville, were seen wandering around the school and getting involved with 30 minute sessions of visiting the workshops.

The day was part of the Aspiring Minds Programme, devised and delivered by the Damme Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust, which tours schools to improve young people’s attitudes and skills for personal success in the modern world.