DELIGHTED children at a Chaddesley Corbett school received a visit from their hero this week as Olympic star Mark Aldred dropped by to thank pupils for their support.

Children at Winterfold House School have avidly followed the journey of the Great British rower as his parents David and Sue Aldred are Deputy Head and Year 3 teacher respectively.

After pupils sent him a signed Union Jack flag as a token of their support, the 29-year-old paid them a visit of thanks to talk about his Team GB experience at the Rio Olympics.

Dad David said: "We are proud of all our children.

"You never dream of anyone going to the Olympics.

"We followed Mark to Rio and after four years of hard training, he made our family very proud. If you have a dream, follow it."

The Birmingham athlete, who visited on Monday, September 26, also took part in a question and answers session and shared his memories of playing school rugby, football and cricket at Winterfold.

Gareth Jones, his former Head of Sport and current Head of Boys’ PE and Games at Bromsgrove School, said: "I have many fond memories of Mark.

"He was part of a highly-successful year group who strived for the best at all times.

"He represented his school ‘A’ teams in all sports and played in national finals. Above all else, it was his work ethic and attitude that enabled him to achieve so much.

"I was not at all surprised that he went on to represent Team GB at Rio."

Mark and teammates Chris Bartley, Jono Clegg and Peter Chambers finished fourth in the men’s lightweight four semi-final at this summer’s Olympics.