SCHOOL pupils tried their hand at games which kick-started tennis ace Andy Murray’s journey to becoming an Olympic champion and a Grand Slam winner.

Murray’s mother Judy visited Newton-le-Willows Primary School, for the training date.

The session was a result of a competition that ran on the Set4Sport Facebook page.

The programme featured games played by Andy and his brother Jamie as children at their home in Dunblane more than 20 years ago.

Their mother, Judy, inspired by her experience as a tennis coach and parent, demonstrates easy ways for parents to play with their children to help develop the skills to play sport.

Judy Murray said: “I played ball games with Jamie and Andy almost as soon as they could walk.

“We didn’t know it then, but we were all taking part in the most basic of coaching sessions.

“Not only was it great fun, but it also helped them to develop the co-ordination skills which would allow them to play any sport competently in their later lives.

“Primarily, this is about children having fun in their family environment, but doing so in a way that develops core skills at the same time.

“The beauty of it is that any equipment needed for these games and exercises will almost certainly already be in your home.”

Set4Sport was launched last June with the support of RBS.

The programme is available as a free resource to parents in the form of a book, an app, and a website – Set4Sport.com.