Pupils at Alex Coomber's former school have been inspired by their old girl after she won a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics.

But Coomber's former PE teacher Jane Baker doesn't believe anyone can break the Lady of Sion School's long jump record, which the Salt Lake heroine has held since 1989.

Baker said: "Alex jumped 4.57m and that's not bad for a 15-year-old.

"There are quite a few youngsters with sporting ambitions at the school who will have been inspired by what Alex did at the Olympics but I don't think it will enable them to break her long jump record. That is certainly safe for another year."

Baker is unsurprised by Coomber's success.

She said: "She always had that extra bit of grit. You could see her achieving what she has because of that side of her character.

"She tried all the sports from gymnastics, netball, athletics, she was an excellent sprinter and competed for Worthing Harriers and a few more clubs. She was good at all sports and a real team player.

She always liked to have a go at things.

"We are all so proud of her at the school. Everyone is talking about it. Music teacher Siobhan O'Higgins is a good friend of hers and she and the rest of the staff have been chatting about what Alex has done. The children have come in each morning excited by it all."

Baker was glued to her television set as Coomber hurtled down the Cresta Run in Salt Lake City.

She said: It was exciting stuff. Alex described it as being hauled around the M25 at 80mph on a skateboard. You can see how she might get hurt because she had a bump or two with no protection. I don't know how she can do it but it certainly made great viewing."

Baker revealed the pupils hope Coomber will return to the school with her medal.

"It would be nice for the children if we managed to get her into an assembly where she can show her medal and talk to them. It would provide further motivation for them."