OLYMPIC gymnast Craig Heap inspired pupils to reach for their dreams yesterday as he showed off his medals.

Former world champion Mr Heap, right, visited Edith Moorhouse School, in Carterton, to talk about his experiences of doing gymnastics as a young boy.

New headteacher Marianne Ray said Mr Heap made an impression on the pupils with his presentation at their assembly.

She said: “It was fantastic. He was very in touch with the children and had them in the palm of his hand.

“It was about going for your goals. He said he wasn’t very successful at traditional school subjects and, even though people laughed at him to start with, he proved his critics wrong.”

The morning featured a gymnastics presentation by some of the children and a presentation by Mr Heap himself when he showed off some of his medals and souvenirs. Tash Granville, nine, pictured, said: “It was amazing to meet Craig Heap. I want to be a gymnast and it has taught me quite a few things like you have got to never give up.”

In his career, Mr Heap won five European and world titles, as well as two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, and appeared at the 2000 Olympic Games.