THREE hundred pupils at Tophill Junior School on Portland had stars in their eyes as they took part in a SuperSchools Day.

The stars they had their eyes set on were sports heroes Du'aine Ladejo, 31, three times European champion in the 400m who only missed being in this year's Olympics because of a previous injury.

The girls had their own champion with Kate Howey, 31, who has been world champion in judo and also gained silver and bronze medals at the Olympics in Barcelona and Sydney.

At this year's Olympics she had the honour of carrying the flag for the British team.

Du'aine has been with Superschools for 10 years and Kate joined five years ago and the time they spend touring schools all over the country depends on their training schedules, but both love it and look forward to encouraging and motivating the children.

Watched by a large number of equally enthusiastic parents, the youngsters put their all into the exercises supervised by the stars who also had pictures taken with each pupil.

Ten-year-olds Joseph Dallison and Ashley Purnell both caught their breath for long enough to say how much they were enjoying the experience.

Joseph said: "It's great, I've been looking forward to this and the best bit is meeting the stars." Ashley felt the same about meeting the champions and she added: "It's fun and exciting and this is the second time that I have taken part in SuperSchools." The session ended with Du'aine and Kate both giving talks to the pupils and when the runner was asked how he felt when he was competing, he replied: "I feel positive and confident at the start and when I win it's a relief. When I step up on to the podium and the flag is flying then there is the fanastic feeling that I have won for my country and there's no other feeling like it."

Top questions for Kate concerned the Olympics - the pupils were fascinated by her stories - but they also wanted to know what sort of car she drives.

For headteacher April Bambury this was her first experience of Superschools and she was high in praise for the commitment of the athletes.

She said: "I am most impressed by the excellent organisation of what has been a most exciting day during which we have been well-supported by parents.

"I am very grateful to the whole SuperSchools' team and we expect to have raised approximately £1,000 in sponsorship which will be shared between the school and SuperSchools."