FORMER Olympic runner Jo Mersh paid a visit to St Thomas More High School to offer some words of inspiration to pupils.

Mersh, who had an eight-year span as a British middle-distance runner under her maiden name Fenn, visited as part of the Be the Best You Can Be project which enabled young people to develop their potential.

She talked about her career at the top level of athletics to the pupils who were the starting the new project.

St Thomas More headteacher Gemma Ackred said: “I was determined that our school would be one of the schools to undertake the Be the Best You Can Be programme as it rolls out nationally. The inspiration offered by high achievers including Olympians, Paralympians who strive to achieve their dreams is incredibly powerful and can really reach out and engage our young people.”