St Mary's Church in Fratton will be helping children from Portsmouth schools get into the Olympic spirit ahead of the torch's visit to the city.

Around 250 pupils from seven schools will be taking part in a day of workshops and celebrations at the church.

The Year 5 children will learn about the values underpinning the Games as well as heroes of Games gone by.

The pupils from Arundel Court Junior, Charles Dickens Junior, Cottage Grove Primary, Flying Bull Primary, Newbridge Junior, Somers Park Primary and St George’s C of E Primary Schools will gather today from 9.30am until 2pm.

They will be treated to a performance by the Openbox Theatre Company entitled ‘A Bagful of Stories’, and then explore the Olympic theme through drama, puppetry, dance, percussion, sport, first aid, medal and banner-making.

The vicar of St Mary’s, Canon Bob White, said: “We will be exploring in different ways the values of the Olympics, and also the Olympic heroes who have demonstrated those values - of courage, determination, respect, equality, friendship, excellence and inspiration.

“We hope to end the day with our own Olympic parade, and, above all, to have lots of fun.”

The day has been organised by churches in the inner-city Portsmouth cluster – St Mary’s, Fratton; St Wilfrid’s, Fratton; St Faith’s, Landport: All Saints, Commercial Road; St Peter’s, Somerstown: St Luke’s, Somerstown; and St George’s, Portsea.

The Olympic flame will pass St Mary’s Church as it leaves the city on 16 July.