Olympic sporting hero Colin Jackson made a sentimental return visit to Wolverhampton to see up to 1,000 young runners off the starting line as part of a national fun run.

The former champion hurdler revealed he used to run at the city’s Aldersley Stadium in the early stages of his career. “When we arrived here today, I thought ‘wow!’ It was a long time ago but I’ve got lots of happy memories of training here.”

The athlete flew into the city with fellow Olympic stars, diver Leon Taylor, middle-distance runner Benita Johnson and sprinter Katherine Merry, a former Birchfield Harrier.

They were in Wolverhampton to rally 21,075 youngsters across the city taking part in the two-kilometre Tesco Great School Run.

Arriving by helicopter the celebrities touched down to complete the second leg of a whistlestop tour of cities and towns across the country today. Swamped by adoring fans, the athletes shared expert running tips, warm-up exercises and encouraged the youngsters across the finishing line.

The Tesco Run is a UK-wide initiative to inspire children to adopt healthier lifestyles

Colin Jackson, silver medalist at the Seoul Games in 1988, said: “It’s a privilege to take part in an event like this. We all know kids need to exercise more but the point is they actually want to. They’re loving this run.

“I only wish there was something like it when I was going to school.”

Katherine Merry, who won bronze in the 400-metre event at the Sydney Games in 2000, said: “It’s great to see so many children in Wolverhampton signed up for the event as it will go a long way in making a difference to how they approach sport and exercise.”

The event, organised locally by Nick Shaffrey, of Smestow School, was staged with the help of Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club.