Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle MBE told schoolchildren of the importance of potatoes.

Tweddle visited Claremont Fan Court School, Esher, to meet the winner of a national poster competition showcasing potatoes as a food for sport.

The winning poster was designed by Lewis Child, 13. Lewis and his classmates heard why Miss Tweddle loves potatoes and why, as an athlete, they were an important part of her diet.

She then joined the pupils as they cooked a potato curry and judged the winning dish.

Potato Council education coordinator Sue Lawton said: "We have really enjoyed working with Beth, helping children to learn more about potatoes and the role they can play as part of a healthy balanced diet, whether you are a 13-year-old boy or an Olympic class athlete.

"Potatoes are a great fuel for the body, plus they are a source of many other nutrients including potassium, fibre and thiamine. Lewis' poster really highlighted the value of potatoes as part of an essential diet for sportsmen and women and we would like to congratulate him on a fantastic entry."

Lewis's poster will now be added to the educational resources which the Cook Your Own Potatoes project offers teachers at cyop.org.uk.