THE greatest Olympian in British history stopped off in Bradford yesterday to launch a new literature festival and to encourage more children to get into reading.

Sir Chris Hoy, who won six Olympic gold medals in a distinguished cycling career, has turned his hand to children’s fiction since retirement, and spoke at Bradford Grammar School about his books and the importance of reading.

The event, which welcomed nine schools from across the district, was the launch of the Broughton Hall Children’s Literature Festival which runs at Broughton Hall in Skipton this weekend.

Sir Chris, 42, has written eight books in his Flying Fergus series about a young boy with a magical bicycle, and admitted when he was younger he found it difficult to get into reading.

He said: “I needed quite a lot of encouragement to read when I was younger, but when I found an author or a series of books that I enjoyed I couldn’t get enough of them.

“I was inspired by Roald Dahl, he was my favourite author when I was younger.

“In terms of writing the books it was trying to find ways to inspire children to read more but also ride their bikes so I thought it would be a good way to do it.

“As a team we came up with Flying Fergus and we’re on book nine now so its been an incredible journey.

“Reading is crucial and central to children’s development of lifelong skills, and its great to help them to use their imaginations, to inspire them to read more or to take up the activities in the book.

“That’s why we need to get them to read more and also get out and use their imaginations and ride their bikes more.

“In the talk we introduced the characters and how we came up with the idea for the books and the inspiration behind the characters.

“We then explained some of the messages we are trying to get across in the books about the importance of teamwork, making do with what you’ve got, the importance of hard work, and that in life you don’t just get given things on a plate.

“It’s about getting them excited about reading and to get out reading after the presentation, not just our books but all books.”

Sir Chris was also full of praise for the Broughton Hall Festival, which was the brainchild of Oakworth teacher Trevor Wilson.

“It’s a brilliant event, it brings everyone together and really highlights the importance of reading,” he added.

“We want to get kids and parents enthusiastic about reading, and parents to read with their children when they are a bit younger and to help them get started and make reading an important part of their day.”

As well as pupils from Bradford Grammar, children from Beckfoot Heaton, Bradshaw, Frizinghall, Hoyle Court, Moorfield, Netherleigh and Rossefield, St James’ Church, St John’s CE, and Westville House primary schools were inivted to the school to listen to Sir Chris and also quiz him on his books.

Born in Edinburgh, Sir Chris won countless gold medals at the Olympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games throughout his 13-year career, and was honoured with a knighthood for his services to sport in 2009.

He was also named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2008, and was presented with the Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.