HOCKEY: ONE of England's top hockey stars has returned to her roots to coach youngsters at The Heath Science and Technology College in Runcorn.

Former Heath pupil Nicky O'Donnell has been coaching some of the school's most talented children in after-school sessions.

Twenty boys and girls from the school were given advice on how to improve their hockey skills by one of their biggest idols.

The 23-year-old striker from Beechwood in Runcorn made her first England appearance against Germany in October this year and has been named in the squad to travel to South Africa for three Test Matches in January.

Nicky has also represented her country at U16, U18 and U21 levels and was named Sportsperson of the Year in the 2003 Halton Sports Awards.

Chris Probert, head of girls' physical education at The Heath, said: 'Nicky is a fantastic advert for the kids.

'It is great to be able to turn round to them and say 'look what you can achieve'. She is just a fantastic role model.

'You don't see many people from Runcorn going on to represent their-country and to be able to turn round and say that she played on our yard is fantastic. You can not buy that kind of publicity or credibility.

'Nicky is a really nice and down-to-earth girl who gets along really well with the kids, so she is fantastic to have.'

Nicky plays for Hightown Bowdon in the Women's Premier Division and helped Hightown to the English Hockey treble in 2003-04, before the side merged with Bowdon in the summer.

The coaching sessions are part of a wider scheme paid for by the school's Gifted and Talented Grant.

As part of the project, The Heath receives funding to pay for external coaches to come in to work with the school's top athletes in different sports.

John Moores University graduate Nicky is also Women's Football Development Officer for Merseyside and the school is also considering asking for her assistance in coaching football.