ATHLETIC tots had a lesson from an expert when Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell popped in to meet them.

Parents and around 20 toddlers at the West Swindon branch of Tumble Tots showed Sally herself a mum of three boys the climbing, running and jumping skills they have learned in their weekly class.

Sally, 39, was at the Holy Trinity Church in Shaw to promote Tumble Tots' Positive Parenting Week, in which parents are given booklets and advice on how to deal with children's behavioural and emotional issues, as well as how to handle day-to-day discipline.

She said: "I've got three boys and I know what a challenging job it is looking after them.

"I'm here to give these parents a pat on the back for being good parents and giving their kids a really good start. Being a parent is a real challenge and we all need to be told we're doing okay from time to time."

Karen Stallabrass, of The Bramptons, Shaw, attends the weekly exercise sessions with her son James, two.

She said: "It's really good that someone so well-known has come here.

"Sally is a brilliant athlete and a good role model for the children. Hopefully, a big name like her will make people take notice of the work Tumble Tots is doing."

Sally won the 400m hurdles at the 1992 summer Olympics in Barcelona and went on to set the world record in the same event at the 1993 World Championships.

She is now retired from athletics, but works as a presenter for the BBC.