PUPILS at a Darlington school have been treated to an inspiring talk by Falklands veteran Simon Weston.

Mr Weston visited Polam Hall school last night to speak to the pupils as part of the school's annual speech day.

This was the first speech day for the school's headmistress Marie Green, who took over at the school following the death from cancer last year of former headmistress Helen Hamilton.

Miss Green said: "I'm just really delighted that he agreed to come it really makes the event special.

"I feel that Simon Weston was for me the ideal person to invite. Like Simon Weston, my predecessor inspired people with her courage and dignity in the face of personal challenges.

"Simon Weston's new book is also entitled 'Moving On' which is what Polam Hall is doing at the moment. Also his charity Weston Spirit has benefitted thousands of young people."

Almost half of the school were involved in entertaining guests at the speech day with musical and theatrical performances.

The speech day recognized the achievement, for both academic work and extra-curricular activities of pupils.