EXCITED children at a Chester school were cock-a-hoop when England star Laura Malcolm dropped in to deliver a netball masterclass.

The 28-year-old Manchester Thunder player proved a big hit when she coached pupils at St Martin's Academy, as well as groups from fellow North West Academies Trust (NWAT) schools Grosvenor Park CofE Academy, Acresfield Primary School and Delamere CofE Academy.

Shona Valentine, director of sport at St Martin's, said: "There was a great atmosphere.

"They started with netball and fitness drills then played games and learned learn skills like how to outwit an opponent.

"The girls were really immersed in it, they were very quiet - and they are never really quiet - so they were taking it all in!

"As well as the training, Laura did a question and answer session, explaining how she'd only got into netball when she started at high school, and was in the England Squad aged 16."

She added: "We plan to do a masterclass with other NWAT schools every term on a different sport.

"Meeting sportspeople is inspiring and gives children the opportunity to talk to someone who has experience at the top level.

"We want to promote life-long sport, so we are always looking for ways to inspire this."

Steve Docking, CEO of Chester-based NWAT, said: “All our schools offer fabulous sporting opportunities for children because we see the huge benefits it brings in every aspect of life.”