ONE person credited as being one of Kelly Holmes's early inspirations is Debbie Page, her PE teacher at Hugh Christie Technology College, Tonbridge.

Ms Page, 43, from Southborough, now head of PE at the school, had only been teaching for three years when Kelly joined Hugh Christie aged 11.

"I could see very early on that she had huge potential," said Debbie. "In her first term I persuaded her to do a cross country run and she came second.

"The following summer term, when we had athletics, you could already see how good she was on the track." Soon after, Ms Page encouraged Kelly's mum to take her to Tonbridge Athletics Club and the rest is history.

But Ms Page was on holiday in China when Kelly achieved her historic double in Athens and, in fact, only returned late the night before the parade.

She said: "The Olympic coverage in China was limited, so I've only watched the last 50m of the 800m and only highlights of the 1500m. My friends say they have videoed both and I am so looking forward to sitting down and watching both races in full."

She added: "How often does a teacher get a pupil who becomes a double Olympic champion? This is a one in a million thing and to think I was one of those who started her on the road to stardom is amazing."

Staff and pupils from Hugh Christie joined the crowds lining the streets at the bus left Hildenborough to head into Tonbridge.

A banner read "Well done Kelly, from all at Hugh Christie", but they will all be able to say this in person next week, as there are plans for Kelly to visit the school and show her medals to the pupils there.