Olympic swimming star Nick Gillingham MBE visited Ashville College in Harrogate to give a coaching demonstration to the school's senior boys and girls swimming squad.

The 1988 Olympics 200-metre breaststroke silver medalist coached pupils in sport development and the swimZone fitness programme for all ages.

Gillingham, a three-time European champion, also coached the squad in competitive swimming, showing them swimming skills and techniques, practices and starts and turns.

Teacher Duncan Archer said: "Nick's passion for swimming came over to our pupils as they experienced the skills and techniques required for competition.

"Just seeing his medals gave the pupils something to aim for - especially with the Olympics in London on the horizon."

Updated: 11:13 Wednesday, December 07, 2005