AN Olympic champion rode into school yesterday to deliver a road safety message.

Stockton cyclist Chris Newton won bronze at the Sydney Olympics as part of the British 400m cycling pursuit team.

Yesterday, he was invited to Fairfield Junior School, in Stockton, to hand out helmets to young cyclists and safety equipment to the voluntary instructors who run cycle safety courses at the school.

The money for the equipment came from the Teesside Health Action Zone, which donated £4,000 to help keep pupils at ten schools in the borough safe.

Allen Shaw, headteacher at Fairfield Juniors, said: "The children are very keen on cycling and were very much looking forward to meeting Chris Newton and getting a few tips on how to do it properly."

Another nine schools, chosen randomly from those who offer cycle training courses, will also receive safety equipment, including Thornaby CE primary School and Wolviston Primary