Kingston’s budding sports stars set their sights set on gold at the secondary schools indoor rowing championships.

More than 100 pupils, double the entrants of last year, from seven schools took part in the event at Chessington Community College.

Richard Challoner School won the overall prize for the boys’ teams, while Surbiton High School took the girls’ title.

Olympic rowing gold medallist Mark Hunter watched the competition with mayor of Kingston Councillor Ian McDonald and Adrian Pearman, chairman of Sport Kingston, which sponsored of the games.

Mr Hunter said: “Not everyone has the facilities to try rowing, so I think this is a great introduction to the sport for youngsters. I was really impressed with the enthusiasm of everyone.

“Standing on top of the Olympic podium hearing the national anthem being played is a moment that I will never forget, that’s why I like to attend events like this and if I can inspire just one person to go on and achieve at the highest level, then it is worth it.”

The winners will now go on to represent Kingston at the London Youth Games, Europe’s largest annual youth sporting event.