FORMER Wales and Lions rugby captain Gareth Thomas put youngsters at St Peter's Primary School in Pilning through their paces when he took part in their sports week.

The ex-international spent one-and-a-half days at the school to coach the key stage two boys and girls in tag rugby, which is aimed at younger children.

His visit was all part of a week of activities that allowed the youngsters to try out a variety of sports, from lacrosse and curling to tennis and volleyball.

It is hoped that after the success of the London Olympics and the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, children will take up familiar and not so well known sports.

Fiona Bird, the school's secretary, said: "Gareth was brilliant and the children all loved it. They had a lot of fun doing training and playing tag rugby."

The school has run a sports week for several years to encourage youngsters to be more active and take up a sport they can pursue through their life.