YOUNGSTERS from Ivy Bank High School have been picking up tips from the cream of British Athletics.

The team of ten sports enthusiasts from the Burnley school and teacher Damian Juriansz joined the army for the day and attended the Army School of Physical Training in York where Olympic hopeful Kelly Holmes put them through their paces.

Middle distance runner Kelly is a sergeant in the army, but in the summer she will swap her kit for the British Olympic uniform and run for gold in the 800 and 1,500 metres in Atlanta.

She and her expert team of track and field Army athletes were impressed with the efforts made by students from Ivy Bank.

"I think I'd better look out - some of these kids are really good," she said.

Teacher Mr Juriansz said: "Our team have learnt many of the finer points surrounding athletics which we may not include in our lessons at school.

"They have also had the opportunity to use equipment we don't have at school such as hurdles and the cage for discus throwing.

"The army coaches did a great job. They kept the students interested throughout the day, and Kelly Holmes is really good."

Kelly added: "We showed the kids some key skills for athletics.

"The enthusiasm and talent was great and everyone did really well.

"Hopefully the day motivated the children to go on to bigger and better things."

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