The most successful paralympian of all time has visited a school in Menston to present an award in memory of a tragic former pupil.

Staff and students got the chance to meet sporting superstar Dame Tanni Grey Thompson who was the guest of honour at St Mary's School yesterday.

The 16-time paralympic medal winner visited the Catholic school to meet members of its disabled sports club and to present an award in honour of a 12-year-old St Mary's pupil who died in a tragic accident at his home in 1993.

Jamie Payne Ross was a keen footballer, rugby player and athlete and for the past ten years an award in his name is presented to a St Mary's pupil for outstanding sporting achievement.

His mother, Colleen, and elder brother, Adam, from Morley, attend the ceremony every year.

Colleen said: "We have always had a good connection with the school and it has been part of our lives.

"But over the last few years, this day has become like a pilgrimage for us. The award has been running for ten years and Jamie would be absolutely amazed to know this has happened in his name.

"To meet Dame Tanni Grey Thompson has been wonderful, I think she is such a true spirit. I think what she has done for disabled people is wonderful but also for able bodied people as well."

Dame Tanni said she was proud to have been asked to present the award in Jamie's honour.

She said: "It has been lovely, giving the award in Jamie's name was very emotional, his family are fantastic and feel that they want to give something back to the school."

This year the award was won by Aiden White, 13, of Menston, who plays both football and rugby and is a member of the Leeds United academy.

He said: "I am extremely pleased to have received this award from Tanni, I play football, rugby and athletics, but football is my favourite and I would like to become a professional footballer."

Dame Tanni also presented the school with a prestigious sports gold mark award in recognition of St Mary's commitment to physical education. And then she went on to meet members of the school's disabled sports club.

The club was started four years ago and now has 16 members with a range of physical disabilities and learning difficulties who meet once a week to play sports.

Dame Tanni said: "The work the school do here is amazing. It is about giving children with disabilities the opportunities to get them fit and healthy and this needs to be done through schools."