PARALYMPIC gold medalist swimmer Stephanie Millward visited North Bradley Primary School today to inspire the next generation of athletes.

After winning gold in the 100m backstroke S8 final in Rio, she has taken on the task of inspiring the children of Wiltshire to follow in her footsteps.

Pupils aged four-11got the chance to interview her before she joined them for lunch in the school canteen. The children were very excited to have such a famous person visit them, and made the most of the opportunity.

Pupil and rugby fan Rhys said: “It is really exciting and inspiring to have Stephanie come here to visit. It’s really exciting to think she was all the way in Rio and now she’s here at our school.”

Before moving to Box at the age of 10, Stephanie Millward grew up in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and got into swimming as it was the best way to cool down. She soon realised she had a natural talent for the sport and took it up seriously.

Whilst being scouted for the GB team, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 17. However, nothing was going to keep her out of the water and she later qualified for both the Beijing and London Paralympics, collecting silver medals before going on to win gold in Rio.