DOUBLE Olympic medallist Jonny Brownlee travelled to Giggleswick School last week to officially open a new state of the art fitness centre.

The 2012 triathlon world champion, who won bronze at the London Olympics and silver in Rio, said he was delighted to be asked to open the superbly equipped facility, and recalled a previous visit when he competed against the school in a gruelling cross country event.

"I won my first schools U9 cross country race here," he said. "I remember running up the field and thinking that it felt like Everest at the time!"

And the Olympic hero praised the new fitness centre, which is housed in a purpose built extension and features weights, strength and conditioning equipment as well as top-end treadmills, cycle trainers, rowing machines and other cardio-vascular training aids.

"I am really impressed by these new facilities with equipment very similar to that which we use," he said.

"Giggleswick has a wonderful location for triathlon training and I would really enjoy training here."

The suite has been made possible thanks to a legacy from former pupil Mike Hartley, whose sons, Gary and Steven, joined Jonny at the opening.

Headmaster Mark Turnbull thanked the athlete for his visit, during which he toured the school and took part in a question and answer session with pupils and staff.

"We were delighted to welcome Jonny to our school," said Mr Turnbull.

"Triathlon is a sport which we encourage at Giggleswick and Jonny's visit was inspirational."

The gym development is part of an ongoing multi-million pound investment in the school's buildings and facilities which is also seeing boarding accommodation upgraded.