TO THE rest of the country he might now be known as Jimmy Anderson, England’s greatest bowler, but at his former primary school he is still affectionately referred to as ‘James’.

Yesterday current students and teachers who remember a well mannered and shy pupil got the chance to salute their outstanding alumni as a giant flag of appreciation made its way to the town after a tour of the country.

James, who overtook Sir Ian Botham’s record as England’s leading Test wicket taker last week, attended St Mary’s RC Primary School before moving on to St Theodore’s.

Teacher Susan Mullen, speaking as the Slazenger ‘Congratulations Jimmy’ flag spent time at the school and in Burnley town centre, said: “He was very well mannered, well behaved, quite quiet and reserved, but he had lots of friends, he was popular.

“I think he was quite bright, he was one of the brighter ones in the class.

“His family were interested in cricket, his uncle and his dad played. He was always sporty, he enjoyed sport.

“He was always reserved, he didn’t turn into anything different towards the end of Year Six.

“I’m surprised (when I see him being aggressive on the pitch), I think ‘ooh that’s not like James’, but I think it’s the pressure of being involved in top level sport.”

Susan’s daughter Louise also now teaches at the school and was in the same class as James when they started in 1989.

She said: “He was quite shy, he was quiet but not too quiet. He was friendly and easy to get along with.

“He was popular, people liked him. He was quite contentious from what I remember. He was competitive, but only when it came to sport. Apart from that he was quite calm.”

Headteacher Ian Jones said: “We’re really proud and really pleased for him.”

The flag has been touring the country and will arrive at its final destination, Turf Moor, this afternoon, before being handed over to James when he returns from England’s tour of the West Indies.