YOUNGSTERS at a Nelson school dived into the lifestyle of a professional athlete after a visit from a Commonwealth games medallist.

Students from Castercliff Primary Academy were put through their paces by James Denny, a Commonwealth Games silver medallist.

James represented England at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and won a medal with his partner Tom Daley in the 10m platform synchro.

The pair also narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the 2014 European Aquatics Championships.

James spent the day talking to children at the Marsden Hall Road North school and taking them through a programme of exercises.

He put them through their paces in the hall with fitness challenges including press-ups and star jumps.

He also took part in classroom activities and then gave an inspiring speech in front of the school in an assembly.

The sponsored visit was arranged through the Sport4Schools charity with children helping to raise around £460 for the school funds.

Teacher Gemma Sarsfield said: "It was an absolute pleasure to have James visit the school and Tony Bird from Sports4Schools helped put on excellent morning of activities.

"The children displayed amazing energy in the exercise sessions and thoroughly enjoyed taking part in them which is important.

"When it came to the assembly, they had really done their research on James and were ready to ask him lots of questions."

A spokesman for Sport4Schools said they offer a wide range of sporting activities and multi skill activities both curricular and extra-curricular for primary schools.

He said: "We aim to get every child taking part in sporting activities that will improve their fitness, balance, coordination and physical skills.

"Our coaches are qualified to deliver all aspects of the PE national curriculum and are extensively trained in behaviour management strategies in order to create exciting, yet controlled and educational teaching environments."