A SPORTING hero from Salisbury has taken time out of her training schedule to inspire students in Shaftesbury.

Emily Benham, world silver medallist in mountain bike orienteering, took a break from training and competing in Norway last week to visit St Mary’s School in Shaftesbury.

She went along to present Year 9 girls with their medals for completing the Extreme Teams Challenge, a two day challenge in which girls compete in teams over five different challenges.

Headteacher Richard James said: “The event was a fantastic success with various teams winning different phases of the challenge and was greatly enhanced by a visit from Emily’ the girls were really thrilled to meet her.”