FORMER Olympic swimmer Mark Foster inspired youngsters at a half-term swimming academy.

The record-breaking gold medallist was at Basildon Sporting Village yesterday to meet with 60 youngsters from Basildon’s Phoenix Swimming Club.

He was joined by Katie Sexton MBE, the first British woman to win a World Championship title, and they shared their winning techniques with the group of 13 to 18-year-olds.

Eight-times world recordbreaker Mark, who was born in Billericay and raised in Southend, spoke of his feelings at returning to his former training ground.

He said: “It’s great to be back here and see all the old faces.

Funnily enough, my old coach Douglas Campbell, who used to train me in London, is now head coach here at the Basildon Sporting Village.”

Most of the swimmers who took part in the special training session are already competing at club level or above. Speaking of the inspiration to set up his specialist academy, Mark added: “It’s an opportunity to give back.

I’ve been swimming for more than 23 years. I left the sport six years ago and have a lot of knowledge I’d like to pass on.

But first and foremost, these kids are having fun.”

Lucky students got training in the gym as well as drills in the pool and tips on techniques like “streamlining”. Mum Lau Melopeet, 45, of Wick Drive, Wickford, said her son Vincent, 14, enjoyed the chance to meet the swimming champions.

She said: “He’s loving it here.

My son followed all the competitions Mark Foster was in during the Olympics and he now competes at regional and national level.”

Speaking of her reason for coming, Lau added, “Of course, I also couldn’t turn down a good chance to see Mark in his swimming trunks!”

Mark said he felt it was important for children to take part in sport.

He added: “I would like to see every local business community doing its bit for local sports facilities.

“It’s not about sport, it’s about health. We have a huge problem with obesity in this country – put simply, prevention is better than cure.”

The swimming camp was arranged by Everyone Active in partnership with Basildon Council.

ONE young swimmer was thrilled when she won a place in the academy for a second year in a row.

Ellie Wheeler, 12, from Basildon, picked the winning Phoenix Swimming Club raffle ticket for a place at the camp.

Winning the place out of hundreds was even more special because she had missed out on booking a place.

The lucky youngster has won five silver medals at Basildon swimming galas – but did not expect to be picked two years in a row at a raffle.

Proud mum, Diane Wheeler, 40, of Rantree Fold, said: “She loves it here – swimming is her life. She first met Mark when the Sporting Village opened and was picked by the school to be in a photo with him.

“When she won the raffle to be in the Academy Camp for the second year in a row, she was over the moon.

Maybe it’s a sign of things to come.”