Children at a busy leisure centre were given a treat when sporting superstars dropped by to give them a taste of top-level training.

Athletics champion Kriss Akabusi led an all-star squad, coaching youngsters aged eight to 18 in a variety of sports during the half-term holidays.

The three-day course, at Ringwood Recreation Centre, was sponsored by British Gas Southern.

Then-centre manager Tim Hewett told the Echo at the time: “it is great to see youngsters enjoying themselves in the company of these stars.”

Kriss Akabusi was joined by fellow athletes Roger Black and Todd Bennett as they put their tentative mentees through their paces.

Completing the team of visiting all-stars were hockey ace David Faulkner, badminton star Helen Troke and basketball international Paul Philp.

For the more graceful would-be athlete, Chris’s wife, Monica Akabusi, tutored in gymnastics and dance.