A GOLD medal winning wheelchair basketball player has returned to put Denbighshire pupils through their paces.

Invictus Games Team GB athlete Alistair 'AJ' Pingram recently Ysgol Melyd to complete a sponsored fitness circuit with all pupils and staff.

The former Royal Marines Engineer - as well as Rhyl Raptors and Cheshire Phoenix squad member - visited Ysgol Penmorfa, Prestatyn in June 2017 following a visit to Ysgol Sant Elfod in Abergele in May.

AJ, orginally from Llangollen, said: "I love coming to visit schools and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

"Sport and fitness is so important and the more young people we can encourage to get moving, the better, on so many levels. "

AJ played professional hockey with the Royal Navy before an accident damaged both his ankles in 2000, before triumphing in the point guard position with the GB Invictus team at the games in London in 2014.

Two weeks prior to AJ's visit on Monday, February 4, the pupils were shown a DVD to learn more about the athlete and learn the type of exercises that will be undertaken during the sponsored fitness circuit.

Pupils were also given their sponsor forms, giving them two weeks to collect as many sponsors as they can. Once the sponsorship money has been counted it will be put towards new sports equipment for the school and will also help support GB athletes to compete.

The school’s Bronze Young Ambassadors Finley Newell and Grace Nickson - both year six - helped to organise the event, where each class was given an individual sponsored fitness circuit in the hall.

Grace said: "AJ told us to keep active and fit in order to have an active and fit mind and also, never to give up on our dreams."

Finley said: " We thoroughly enjoyed spending the afternoon with AJ Pingram. We helped all classes with their fitness circuit and especially enjoyed demonstrating the actions."