Commonwealth Games gold medalist swimmer Chris Cook may be responsible for a future surge in sports stars from the area after he visited Newington Primary School.

The Olympian gave a talk to Year 6 pupils as part of the nationwide Inspire Programme, to encourage youngsters to aim high and pursue their dreams.

Mr Cook, who won two golds for the 50 and 100 metre breaststroke at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, has dropped in on the school before as part of his involvement in the project.

His visit to the school on Monday was part of a jam-packed start to the week for the youngsters as it coincided with well-known children’s author Julia Jarman stopping by.

The writer, who has been nominated for a Carnegie medal, read from her books, led acting workshops and explained the process of writing children’s literature.

Ms Jarman has published more than two dozen books including Big Red Bath, Class Two at the Zoo and Ghost Writer.

Head of school Trudi Godfrey said of the two VIPs: “Chris’s visits are fun and he fills them with confidence. He’s a personal friend now.

“Some of the kids would like to be sports stars, but since Julia came in, I think some of them would now like to be authors – she really inspired them.”