Pupils were given the chance to follow in the footsteps of Olympic heroes as they took part in a regional hockey festival.

Students from Whitmore High School, in Harrow, were among those competing in a friendly tournament at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford.

The ‘Hockey Schools Festival’, now in its fourth year, involves training sessions under the expert guidance of the venue’s resident hockey coaches before small, 15 minute games between schools from across London, Essex and Hertfordshire.

Shaun Dawson, chief executive at Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, said: “In the five years since the 2012 Games, I’m delighted to see our staff and venues continuing to contribute to the Olympic legacy, facilitating activities such as the Hockey Schools Festival for young people across the region.

“I hope that our programme will have inspired young people to take up and excel at sports such as hockey - and even be the first taste of hockey for what could be future international players.”