WHEN Countdown and Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling was growing up in Hartlepool, PE lessons often involved a road run which took in the local steel works, greyhound stadium and betting shop.

So when it came to choosing a school for his children he went for Prince's Mead, near Kings Worthy, where pupils are taught in a former stately home with countryside on the doorstep.

As part of a project to upgrade facilities, the co-educational preparatory school near Winchester opened six and a half acres of new sports fields, which will be used for cricket, football, rugby, rounders, hockey and athletics.

Jeff, from Alresford, took time out of his hectic broadcast itinerary to perform the opening ceremony - and tell the assembled 200-strong crowd all about his childhood "cross-country runs". He said that a solid grounding in several sports helps children to fit in and flourish in their secondary schools.

"This is a dream school for any child," said Jeff. "Sport helps you make friends and build confidence. I love the fact that at Prince's Mead sport is still competitive. You are encouraged to do your best and win if you can but, if you don't, you learn to accept it. And you're taught to win, but not at all costs."

He presented two cricket bats to pupils Charlotte Fernando and Hugh McQueen - both of whom are cornerstones of the school team - which have gone on display in the sports hall. One bat is signed by English cricketer James "Jimmy" Anderson and the other by the Sky Sports commentary team: "Which means it has a lot of 'X's on it," quipped Jeff.

In addition to the pitches, a wild flower meadow, trim trail and traversing climbing wall have been installed. Planning permission to put two tennis and netball courts has also been granted and construction work has started. These facilities will also be used by the recently established Worthy Park Tennis Club, a community project.

Another part of the ambitious project has been to appoint a director of sport - a rarity amongst day preparatory schools.

Vytas Jakimavicius started in the post last term and has already organised an under nines cricket coaching tournament on the new cricket field, attended by the nearby Kings Worthy and St Peter’s primary schools.

Headteacher Penelope Kirk said: “We've been planning the revamp of sport here for several years. It's great to see the various projects now come to fruition because we know we can now offer both boys and girls some of the very best facilities and tuition around.”