OLYMPIC heroes have gone back to school to inspire children to take up sport.

Team GB Olympians Peter Bakare and Nathan French challenged seven and eight-year-old pupils, to a game of volleyball at Red House School in Norton, near Stockton.

The Year 3 children are currently studying the Olympics as a topic at school.

A spokeswoman for Red House School said: “The children have been learning about the history of the Games, which began in Greece in 776 BC and comparing them to the Games of the modern day.

"As the 2016 Olympics in Rio are almost 500 days away, children have already been putting their knowledge into practice by designing a t-shirt and they really enjoyed showing the GB athletes their creations.”

Jo Everington, head of nursery and infant school, said: “The children were very excited that Peter Bakare and Nathan French visited the School. We want children to learn about the sacrifices they have had to make as top athletes and what motivates them to achieve their best.

"We are delighted that Peter and Nathan were able to talk to the children about their experiences and to hold a volleyball session.”

The morning finished with the Olympians holding a question and answer session with Year 10 GCSE PE pupils in the secondary school. Pupils quizzed them about the different types of training they have to endure and how healthy eating relates to their performance.