Pupils from St Mary’s Field School experienced a taste of Olympic glory when heptathlon gold medalist Denise Lewis dropped by to open their new playground on Wednesday morning.

The school based in Rowley Fields, Leicester installed the playground as part of the Youth Sport Trust Playzone initiative. The play equipment is designed to help enhance physical development and includes a wobble board, adventure trail and stepping stones.

Denise, who claimed gold at the 2000 Games in Sydney, is also the Early Years and School Sport Ambassador for the Youth Sport Trust. The double Commonwealth champion was delighted to attend the opening and is well aware of the importance of active play.

“As a mother, I know how vital play is in a child’s development, both physically and mentally, and it never fails to surprise me how imaginative and active they can be when given even the smallest bit of inspiration.

“Through working with the Youth Sport Trust I am seeing how a well thought out Playzone, such as the one at St Marys Fields, can stimulate active play and therefore promote physical development and key skills such as coordination, balance and reflexes.”

Playzone is supported by the Department of Children Schools and Families and is designed to provide creative and innovative outdoor play opportunities for children within early years settings such as nurseries, pre-schools and Children’s Centres.

It provides the opportunity to change and develop outdoor play space and encourages activity and development through play. Play Rangers from the City Council have also given their backing to the project. Pupils’ brains will also get a workout by using the stage and story area for imaginative play.

Iain Wright, School sport minister at the Department of Children, Schools and Families, also gave his backing.

“Playzone is a fantastic scheme that I wholeheartedly support. It’s so important for young children to have the chance to play – it allows them to meet with friends, let off steam and live a healthy, active lifestyle. It’s even better when they are given a playground like this, which has been built specifically so that it suits what they want.”