PARALYMPIC sprinting legend Jonnie Peacock visited a Dudley school to reward youngsters for winning a competition organised by BT.

The gold medal athlete dropped by Kates Hill Primary School on Monday after the school scooped the top prize as part of the telecoms giant's scheme to highlight its Community Fibre Partnerships (CFP) project, which promotes the benefits of superfast broadband and helps communities that are not yet able to access it.

During his visit, Jonnie, who is a BT Ambassador, was quizzed by pupils on everything from his favourite fruit to how he felt when he won his first gold medal as he popped into every class before addressing a school assembly.

He also took part in a mock race with some of the children.

Jonnie, aged 23, who is currently training for the London World Championships this summer, praised the school’s policy of getting pupils to walk one mile each day.

He said: “It’s important they all want to stay active and healthy. Seeing the excitement and energy these children have and their knowledge about the Paralympics was amazing.”

Year six teacher, Kevin Orchard, said staff and pupils were "really excited" to win, having been randomly selected from hundreds of entries submitted by schools across the country.

He continued: “It was a very successful day. The children were thrilled to meet Jonnie. They talked to him about keeping healthy and fit and how technology can be used in keeping fit and general movement. He spoke with great enthusiasm and modesty and the children will remember the visit for the rest of their lives.

"We’re going to follow his progress and will be doing a lot of work and more research about him.

“All the staff and pupils were really excited about winning this competition. The timing couldn’t be better as it coincided with National Science and Technology Week.”

BT's CPF scheme has a £2 million fund for distributing grants to community fibre superfast broadband partnerships in areas not yet earmarked for a fibre upgrade as part of any public or private sector roll-outs.

Eligible communities can apply for match funding of up to £20,000 towards the cost of a new superfast network, as long as the technology is capable of serving the local school.

Any communities interested in making an application should register their interest online at www.communityfibre.bt.com.