WORLD champion inline skater Jenna Downing helped inspire students at Birkenhead Academy during a recent visit.

She took students through a variety of sporting activities and shared her own experiences of life in professional sport.

Jenna, who is an athlete mentor for Sky Sports Living, said: "The vision and commitment of the teachers was plain to see and it was wonderful to witness the energy and enthusiasm of all the pupils I met.

"The girls were fearless! We did an inline skating session that was certainly the highlight of the day; and all 20 of the students did the ramp, which I don’t ever remember seeing before.

"The girls were so daring and they showed real mental toughness."

Jenna has competed in rollerblading events since the age of eight and has amassed a lifetime of awards competing across the globe in televised and major international events.

After turning professional at the age 12, she has gone on to become an institution in British rollerblading.

She had been crowned ten times British Champion and an X-Games silver medallist all by the age of 21.

She said: "In my role as an Athlete Mentor for Sky Sports Living for Sport I strive to inspire young people to be the best that they can be across all areas of their lives and this was a great example."