TO mirror the Rio Olympics a nursery of infants stepped up to the mark for a week of competition.

Lexden Lodge Kindergarten, on Lexden Road, hosted a week of sports activities and games, which ended in their own medal ceremony.

Dandy the Lion, from St Helena Hospice, made a surprise appearance at the kindergarten to hand out the medals and certificates.

The children, who were aged between seven-months and eight, were later treated to a garden picnic to celebrate.

Angela McQuitty, nursery manager, said: "Last week we really got into the sports spirit and on cooler days the children were hurdling and the tiny ones were making pictures and printing the Olympic symbols from cups of different colours for instance.

"It helped the children to reiterate what's been going on in the Olympics so they felt involved, but the medal ceremony also helped them understand people take note of what they're doing, which is important.

"Having Dandy there was an extra bonus and we appreciated the ladies coming and dressing up on a hot day."

St Helena's mascot received a mixed reaction at Lexden Lodge, but they were mostly happy to have him hand out their prizes.

She added: "The babies in our Duckling Room, who are zero to 18-months just stared on in disbelief when Dandy sat on the floor with the nursery nurses.

"The older children wanted to see what was going on but some of were still unsure.

"One of the mites asked whether the lion was coming for a second day and so when I told her it wasn't a real lion and someone was inside, she began laughing, which shows you they take things at face value."