A KAYAKING star who won silver at the Rio Olympic Games is to be given a thank you gift crafted by a pottery champion.

Jon Schofield, who was supported by Ribble Valley Borough Council when he was a student, will attend the authority's annual Sports and Arts Excellence Grants ceremony tomorrow.

Schofield, who was taught at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, will be presented with the specially-designed coffee set created by last year’s BBC Great Pottery Throw Down winner Matt Wilcock.

The 31-year-old, who was born in Sawley, part in the K-2 200metre sprint at the 2016 games, as well as winning bronze in the same category in London 2012.

He will be presented with four mugs, a cafetiere and a circular tray featuring the Olympic rings.

Cllr Robert Thompson, chairman of the council’s community services committee, said: “We are immensely proud to have supported Jon over the years and thrilled with his success.

“For him to have won bronze at London 2012 was fantastic enough, but to have topped that with a silver at Rio is outstanding.

“We know Jon likes a good cup of coffee, so we asked Matt Wilcock to produce a special commemorative coffee set.

“We are delighted that Jon and Matt have taken time out of their busy international schedules to join us at this year’s sports and arts excellent grants ceremony and present the awards.”

The set has been thrown from stoneware clay on a traditional potter’s wheel and bisque-fired for three days, before being glazed and re-fired.

Mr Wilcock, from Preston, whose work has been displayed at the Platform Gallery in Clitheroe, said he enjoyed using the Olympics as a focal point for his creation.

He said: “The Rio Olympics was extremely vibrant and gave me plenty of inspiration for Jon’s coffee set.

“I am delighted to have produced using some of my favourite materials and techniques.”

The set has been glazed with Leach celadon, named after its inventor, British potter Michael Leach.

It comprises Cornish stone, China clay, whiting, flint and a touch of iron, and is a distinctive jade green colour.

The ceremony will take place at the council chamber in Clitheroe.