OLYMPIC gold medal hero, Darren Campbell, raced into a Kidderminster school this week to give youngsters a few training tips.

Comberton Middle School pupils enjoyed an afternoon of exercise guidance from the international sprinting star, who was awarded an MBE earlier this year.

The students used the unique opportunity to raise money for victims of the South Asia earthquake disaster after their efforts were sponsored.

Mark Pigford, the school's head of PE, said: "Schools usually use these days to raise money for their PE departments but we decided to try and help others who need it more than us."

The 32-year-old athlete, who was part of the victorious 100-metre relay team at the Athens Olympics in 2004, put the 640 pupils at the Borrington Road school though their paces in a two-hour session.

Mr Pigford added: "Darren was fantastic with the children and I cannot speak highly enough of him.

"He signed autographs and posed for photographs with virtually every pupil through the afternoon.

"All the way through he kept a smile on his face.

"The kids really enjoyed the experience and I am sure it is something they always remember," he added.