Pupils at a Newham secondary school will have the opportunity to come face-to-face with the official Grand Départ trophy for the Tour de France tomorrow.

Pupils at a Newham secondary school will have the opportunity to come face-to-face with the official Grand Départ trophy for the Tour de France tomorrow.

The trophy will be at Rokeby school to help celebrate the prestigious event passing through the borough later this year.

Students who have completed cycling proficiency courses will be able to hold the trophy.

The school offers a six week course which teaches pupils road safety.

Assistant headteacher Grant Leppard said students and staff alike were excited about the trophy’s arrival, especially as they were only informed of the visit today.

“It is great to be chosen and it has come completely out of the blue,” he said.

“Cycling is excellent for keeping fit and an increasing number of children now cycle to school instead of using public transport.”