OLYMPIC champion Sir Steve Redgrave surprised pupils when he turned up at their school to talk about diabetes after a student arranged the visit.

William Ottaway, 16, of Downley, High Wycombe, wrote to the gold medallist because Sir Redgrave is his idol and they both suffer from diabetes.

William said: "I felt the day went really well. Sir Steve stayed longer than everybody expected - he stayed for two hours.

"The students who met him were quite honoured and privileged to do so.

"Most of the pupils who were there listening to the speech managed to handle his gold medal which Sir Steve passed around the assembly hall."

Sir Redgrave gave a special assembly to Princes Risborough School on Thursday and talked about his experiences as a diabetic and how he found out he had the condition. He also passed around his Sydney 2000 gold medal to pupils.

William wrote to Sir Steve about a year ago and he received an email two weeks ago to say he was coming to the school.

The visit was a surprise to most students.

William added: "It was very memorable. I would like to thank him for a good day and his sharing of the experiences as a diabetic and as an Olympic gold medallist."

See Free Press on Friday for pictures