Olympic stars of the future took the once in a lifetime opportunity to be coached by the experts.

Search for a Star saw 200 children from 19 secondary schools along the LTS railway line gather at Gloucester Park, Basildon, for the day.

Stars including Fatima Whitbread, who has organised the event for the past four years, and British javelin ace Steve Backley, held a question and answer session as well as passing on their hints and tips for making it in the world of athletics.

Sporty youngsters, picked by their schools for having the potential, were put through their paces in hurdling, sprinting, javelin and discus throwing and high, long and triple jumping.

Ready for action - George Chiverton, Mark Roberson, Eleanor Hawkins, Fatima Whitbread, Natasha Rawlings, Debbie Marti, Sam Henderson and Steve Backley

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.