Olympic hopeful decathlete Dean Macey presented sports awards to pupils at St Helena School in Colchester at a special ceremony.

Dean, of Canvey Island, who won a silver medal at the world championships in Seville last summer and is off to Sydney for the Olympics, presented prizes to 80 pupils at the Sheepen Road school.

The school's head of PE Steve Haycock said: "The pupils were really excited. He stayed for photographs and autographs, handshakes. I think his hand must have been worn out at the end."

Prize-winners included the sports personalities for the lower school: Matt Mehen, Kirsty Davies and Daniel Price.

Upper school sports personalities are Lauren Hockney, Anna Bennington and Laura Rampton.

Pupils were also awarded prizes for sports achievements representing the school at district and county level and for achieving new school athletic records.

A new gym is being installed during the holidays.

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