AFTER hitting the heights by flying like a bird, Eddie the Eagle stayed firmly glued to the ground when he joined skiers at Ski Rossendale.

The British Olympic ski jumper kept his feet on the floor as he led competition winners through the ups and downs of ski-ing.

Eddie was on the slopes on Saturday to train Steve and Diane Porter and their family from St Helens in the morning and Alison Anderton and her family from Bolton in the afternoon after they won a contest run in Currys electrical stores.

Ski instructor Sue Foulkes said: "The day went very well. Eddie taught basic skills and had his pictures taken with them and then went out on to the slopes.

"He was out there watching the skiers and taking an interest.

"He spent about two hours with each of the families and they had a great time."

Eddie hit the headlines, more for his enthusiasm than winning ways, when he represented this country in the winter Olympics.

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