TRIPLE jump Olympian Vernon Samuels has visited a Herefordshire secondary school to "inspire and mentor students".

Vernon, who represented Team GB at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, jumped at the chance to help out with a new healthy lifestyle project at Earl Mortimer College in Leominster, leaders said.

The school created healthy lifestyle champions who help their peers with issue such as mental health, wellbeing as well giving tips on eating well and exercise.

The athlete gave students a motivational talk about his career as an international athlete as he helped the champions put on a sports festival for fellow students.

After retiring from athletics – where he competed alongside GB legends such as Tessa Sanderson and Linford Christie – Vernon became a youth worker and campaigner.

He now works as a trainer, speaker and mentor, visiting schools up and down the country as an ambassador on behalf of Youth Sports Trust.

Vernon said: “It was a really enjoyable session. I really felt there was a connection created with students “One asked if I could be their PE teacher which was really nice. You can tell the school are really committed to helping their students lead healthy lifestyle.

“The students were very engaged and where clearly interested in my story of becoming a top athlete. Their school is ambitious for their futures which is great to see."

Headteacher Alison Banner said: “Vernon has been a key component in bringing our health life style champions project to life, facilitating the training of our students so they can in turn mentor their peers.

"At this school we want our young people to dream big, to have aspiration and know that with the hard work and commitment anything is possible.

“That is why we love having inspirational characters like Vernon in our school because they are the living breathing embodiment of hard work leading to success.”