CLARE BALDING thrilled school students with a speech about her writing tips and sporting anecdotes. 

Mrs Balding had recently written a sequel to her children's book - The Racehorse Who Wouldn't Gallop, titled The Racehorse Who Disappeared. 

She handed out personally signed copies of the book to the students, and was interviewed by two students about her books and her motivation to become an author.

She told the students: “There will have been people in your life that have said to you ‘you can’t do that’. I say to you that if you want to do it, find a way of doing it because you can – it is in your head. You are the authors of your own life”.

LVS Ascot Principal Christine Cunniffe said: “We were delighted to welcome Clare Balding to LVS Ascot and give our students an insight into both her writing and the stories of sporting heroism she has collected as a sports presenter, which were very inspirational. 

"Our students really took these on board and will hopefully use them to really flourish in areas in which they excel."