HUNDREDS of pupils at Wye Valley School in Bourne End were inspired by a visit from wheelchair basketball player and television personality Ade Adepitan.

The Olympic medallist, who starred in the BBC2 documentary series Beyond Boundaries, visited the school as part of its Inspire, Motivate and Achieve (IMA) mentoring programme.

He gave a talk to 400 pupils from years 7, 8 and 9 about overcoming his disabilities to achieve his goals.

Ade, who conracted polio as a child and had to start using a wheelchair in his late teens, told the pupils that support from family and friends had helped him realise his dreams.

As part of the IMA programme the pupils are working with mentors from Buckinghamshire County Council, Buckinghamshire New University, medical technology company GE Healthcare and consultancy firm Lane4. Following the talk they split into groups to discuss the impact Ade's story had had on them.

Wye Valley headteacher Linda Melton said the talk had been a great success. She said: "He most certainly inspired the 400 students who gathered in the hall to hear him speak. Students felt very privileged to have such a famous and worthy person visiting their school. The mentors and other adults who heard him were equally impressed."