LEGENDARY North-East athlete Steve Cram has inspired sporting youngsters with a visit to a Darlington school.

Cram was guest of honour at Hummersknott Academy, telling the pupils: “Whatever you decide to do in life, have the confidence to make the most of your talents.”

The “Jarrow Arrow” is one of the greatest athletes Britain has ever produced, breaking three world records in the space of 19 days in 1985.

He was also the first man to run 1,500 metres in under three minutes and 30 seconds. He won the 1,500 metres gold medal at the 1983 World Championships and the silver behind Sebastian Coe in the 1984 Olympics.

Cram, who is now the voice of athletics for the BBC, met pupils from Hummersknott Academy as well as Abbey and Mowden primary schools.

He told the youngsters, many of whom are promising young athletes, that his main ambition as a schoolboy was to play football for Sunderland.

However, his talent for running was spotted by a coach who persuaded him to join Jarrow and Hebburn Athletics Club in South Tyneside.

In a visit organised by Darlington Building Society, Cram told the youngsters: “When I first started running, I was quite good but I wasn’t winning. Then I realised that the more hard work I put into training, the more success I was having.

“My coach kept telling me that I could be a great athlete and I started to believe him. It’s about having that belief and learning the importance of discipline in whatever you do.

“You are at a great school with great teachers and coaches, so you have the opportunity to be the best you can be. Believe in yourself and put the hard work in and anything might happen.”

His motivational speech was followed by a question and answer session with the pupils. He also met members of the Hummersknott team which recently came ninth in the English Schools Cross-Country Cup.

Hummersknott principal, James Keating, said: “Steve Cram is a legendary name in British sport, so it was a huge honour to have him at Hummersknott Academy, where we are so passionate about sport. We are so grateful to Darlington Building Society for arranging the visit which I’m sure has inspired the pupils to aim high.”