CHILDREN and staff at Kelly Prep were privileged last week to have a visit from the Rev Mike Lapage.

Mr Lapage came into assembly to talk about many of the remarkable things he has done and achieved in his life thus far.

Born in Dorset in 1923 and educated at Monkton Combe School, Mr Lapage was a fighter pilot in world war two.

An outstanding rower, he won the boat race as part of the Cambridge University team of 1948 then went on to win a silver medal at the London Olympic Games in the same year.

At the 1950 British Empire Games he won the bronze medal as part of the English boat in the eights competition.

Mr Lapage became a Christian missionary and was ordained in Kenya in 1961. On May 19 this year he carried the Olympic torch in St Austell in the relay for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The children were captivated by his stories and were thrilled to have the opportunity to touch the Olympic torch.