PUPILS at a special school in the region were bowled over yesterday when cricket pundit Ian Botham paid them a visit.

The former England cricket star presented youngsters at Rosebank Special School, in Ferryhill, County Durham, with a coach from The Variety Club of Great Britain. Rosebank caters for handicapped and under-privileged children from across the region and the minibus will allow them to have more freedom during the school day. The coach was handed over at The Vintage Hotel, on the A66 near Scotch Corner. The Variety Club provides specially-adapted coaches for disabled and disadvantaged children across the country.