A FORMER Olympian and Commonwealth champion paid a visit to her town’s scout group.

Ann Pearce, 81, a former GB Olympic diver and British Empire & Commonwealth Games gold medal winner visit the fourth Rochford scout group at the John Howard Hall in Church Walk.

Ann told the group of her history in competition where she represented team GB at the Helsinki, Melbourne and Rome Olympic games from 1952 to 1960.

The fourth Rochford cubs Alpha pack sat down with Ann and asked her questions about her career where she told of a few scrapes including an injury she sustained while diving a five metre diving board which still leaves her unable to move one of her fingers.

The cubs were welcomed to look at Ann’s scrapbooks and memorabilia from her time in competition almost 60 years ago as well as her medals. Ann advised the young cubs if they had a dream of going into sport, saying: “Do something for yourself to be proud of”.