WORLD record-breaking pupils handed over thousands of pounds raised through their Paralympic-inspired success.

Children at Forest School, parents and staff, along with paralympic legend Noel Thatcher, ran the furthest distance on one treadmill over 24 hours.

They ran the 437.7km in July - easily surpassing the previous record by 14.9km, and raising £8,500 along the way.

And on Monday pupils at the school in College Place in Snaresbrook donated £4,317 to the Essex Disabled Sports Foundation, run by London 2012 torchbearer Mike Jackson.

Mr Jackson said: "It is a true privilege to be part of this school. We really appreciate the school’s efforts, and I am so pleased that we are able to share this occasion with the children here today."

The other half of the cash will go to Forest School Olympic Scholarship, where one child across the five Olympic host boroughs is sponsored to attend the school.

Runner Noel Thatcher represented the United Kingdom at six paralympic games between 1984 and 2004.