CHAMPION gymnasts from a Basildon primary school were gobsmacked when Olympic and Commonwealth medalist Max Whitlock visited them.

Five pupils from St Anne Line School won national competitions this year and their gymnastics coach Lesley Davis-Eyre arranged for Whitlock to attend assembly.

Whitlock, who trains at South Essex Gymnastics Club, brought his medals to show them and watched the youngsters.

“It was absolutely fantastic,” said Lesley. “The children were shocked and absolutely thrilled because everyone knows him.

“Even the staff were queuing up to have their pictures taken with him and his medals.

“Max is such a lovely man and his visit has encouraged all the children.”

Twins Peter and Phillip Odugbile, Reece Hudson and Adam Hickey won the Milano Team Gym Championships in April, representing the Eastern Region.

And the quartet were joined by Uchenna Okeedue to follow it up with victory in the British Schools Gymnastic Association’s national finals.

Whitlock, 22, represented the pupils with the medals they won this year in front of their classmates.

He then showed the youngsters the medals he won at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, plus European and World Championships, before doing a few gymnastics moves with Peter and Phillip, who will be leaving the school this year.

The school will be aiming to defend its national titles when the new school year starts in September.