Former Olympic Games champion Sally Gunnell has given children a running start into the world of athletics in Bradford city centre.

The retired hurdles gold medalist, who straddled her way to victory in the 400m event in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, was playing an ambassadorial role for the McCain Foods Track & Field Roadshow.

A giant dome was inflated in Centenary Square with several pods where children practised throwing, jumping, running and reaction tests with support from UK Athletics coaches.

Youngsters who shone were given the low-down on their local athletics clubs as encouragement and Sally offered her advice and fielded requests for her autograph. She said: “It’s about taking athletics to kids and giving them an introduction to it. This has been great, taking this roadshow around city centres where there are a lot of young, talented kids and to give them that chance.”

Budding vertical jumper and 75- metre sprinter, Rebekah Tiler, 11, of Denholme, who runs with the Bingley Harriers, grabbed her chance to get a much-prized autograph.

Her father, Chris Tiler, said: “This is the sort of thing we are looking for to open doors for Rebekah.” Another McCain ambassador, three-times English Schools javelin champion, Freya Jones, 16, of Southampton, said: “It’s great to get so many kids involved and I’ve seen a few today with some potential.” McCain is the principal partner of UK Athletics and Saturday’s roadshow was part of a five-year £10 million investment in grassroots athletics.