A Beijing-bound para-athlete passed on his athletics skills to North-east youngsters today as part of a holiday sports school.
Local sprinter Neil Fachie, fresh from winning the 100m and 200m at the UK National Championships last weekend, visited the Children's Sports School at the University of Aberdeen to put budding athletes through their paces.
The visually impaired athlete, a Physics graduate from the University, won silver in the 400m and bronze in the 100m for Great Britain at the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester earlier this year.
He now heads to Beijing in September to compete in the Paralympics.
Scores of youngsters, from 5 to 14-year-olds, have registered to attend the summer Sports School, which is now in its 22nd year.
Based at King's College, it offers top class sporting activities over a five-week period, including cricket, life-saving, golf, football, athletics, tennis, swimming, trampolining and basketball.
Jackie Davidson, part of the Sports Development Team at the University, said: "It's always inspirational for the kids to meet top sportspeople, especially when it is a local athlete like Neil who has reached the pinnacle of his sport and is a real hope for a medal in Beijing.
"Helping children enjoy sport, whatever their age or ability, is what we strive for during the Sports School and I'm sure there will now be a few more young faces taking an added interest in the Olympic and Paralympic Games coverage this September."
The Children's Sports School runs from July 7 to August 8. Places are limited and can be booked by following the links on the Sport and Recreation website http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sportandrec/index.php . For more information call 01224 272318.