AN Olympic star made a splash at Bromsgrove Sport and Leisure Centre when she delivered a special swimming lesson to Lickey End First School students.

Gold medallist Rebecca Adlington delivered the 45-minute class on Tuesday, March 13, as part of Swim England's national Big School Swim campaign.

Leisure centre operators Everyone Active supported the scheme by inviting students to come up with an original design for their very own swim hat.

Year 4 student Grace May Roberson designed a hat which incorporated a unicorn and a dolphin, with the words: “Believe you’re a Everyone Active Dolphicorn”.

Her colourful design was hand-picked as the winner by Olympic star Rebecca, who visited the school for an assembly and then took students for a unique swimming lesson at Bromsgrove's leisure centre.

Rebecca said: “We received so many exceptional entries, but Grace’s really stood out.

"I particularly loved the ‘dolphicorn’!

"It was so much fun to join Grace and her peers for the swimming lesson in the fantastic pool at Bromsgrove Sport and Leisure Centre.”

Eight-year-old Grace said she was excited to meet Rebecca.

She said: “When Mr Rintoul (the headteacher) said my name I was excited and proud that I had won.

"I was very excited to meet Rebecca Adlington because she is a very good swimmer."

Headteacher Neil Rintoul added: “We are very proud of Gracie and, as a school, we feel that healthy lifestyles and sport are increasingly vital to young people."

As part of the competition, which is supported by Becky Adlington SwimStars, Everyone Active printed 200 of Grace’s Dolphicorn hats, which were distributed to pupils at the school.

Jacqui Tillman, group swim manager at Everyone Active, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Becky Adlington SwimStars in the delivery of School Swimming Lessons.

"We hope that the children had a great time in the pool."