AN ADVENTURER who explored half of the world on bikes and boats inspired schoolchildren to embrace their ambitions.

Sports star Sarah Outen, who endured a gruelling four-year journey around the northern hemisphere, visited children at Manor School Preparatory School in Shippon.

Kerry Arnold, admissions and marketing assistant at the school near Abingdon, said: "It was lovely, she gave a very inspirational talk. She was wonderful. Her talk was very much about following your dreams.

"She talked about how she learnt to sail as a young teenager. I listened in to one conversation and she was asking them what their dreams were - one of them said playing at Wimbledon.

"She was telling them all her tales about going round the world."

The British athlete completed her adventure in November, having spent years kayaking, cycling and rowing across continents in her London2London challenge.

It was her second visit to the school in Faringdon Road, which teaches boys aged two to seven and girls aged 2 to 11.