When Oakthorpe Primary School were looking for someone to open their new library, a world heavyweight champion probably wasn’t the first name on the list.

However, thanks to some family connections, Anthony Joshua unveiled their new “Book Nook” and encouraged the pupils to read and learn.

Teaching assistant Jo Stavrou said she was able to get Joshua, IBF Heavyweight title holder and London 2012 Olympic gold medallist, to come in to the primary school as he is friends with her dad.

She said: “It was amazing, he was so good with the kids, he answered all their questions.

“We only told the children the morning he came in. They went crazy, they mobbed him, they were ecstatic.”

Ms Stavrou said Joshua, who opened the library at the end of the last school term on July 19, spoke to the children about determination and commitment to becoming a winner, the importance of reading and listening to teachers, and cut the ribbon to officially open the new room.

The school had collected books for a full year before opening, and each child had donated a book on their birthday which had their name signed on the inside as commemoration.

Ms Stavrou said: “The kids are so excited about having new books to read. If you can get them enthusiastic about the idea of reading, you are halfway there.”