A group of students from John Bentley School is delighted to be getting an important role at the London Olympics.

Eight pupils and two teachers have been chosen by Olympic officials to form a guard of honour for the Spanish team as they arrive at the stadium for the Games’ opening ceremony.

The school became involved after London 2012 helped fund the Calne Games, a mini Olympics-style event run by John Bentley for primary school pupils in the town.

Sam Shuker, school sports coordinator at John Bentley, said: “We will be lining the Olympic Park as the athletes pass through, along with children from lots of other schools.

“It will be the athletes’ first taste of the Games as it will be as they are on their way to the opening ceremony.

“It will be a great chance for the children to soak up some of the Olympic atmosphere.

“It is great for them to be directly involved in what is going on.

“The children who are going have been selected because of their positive attitude towards sport and other areas of school. And we wanted the pupils we felt would be most inspired by being involved.

“Before we head down, we will be doing lots of work focussing on Spain and the Olympics to get them in the spirit of things. This is a really exciting opportunity.”

The eight pupils selected by the PE department are Rhea Stokoe, Rhodri Campbell, Dan Smart, Mia Brady, Courtney Masson, Beth Sawyer, Dan Foster and Dan Welling.

Mrs Shuker will also be attending, as will fellow PE teacher Bethan Good.

Rhea, aged 12, from Calne, said: “I really appreciate being picked for this and I think I am very lucky to have the chance to do it.

“I really like sport, which is why I was picked, and I think it is a really good opportunity.”

Rhodri, who is also 12 and from Calne, said: “I am very excited about it and I feel we are very lucky to have been chosen.

“It will be amazing to be part of something which is such a big event.”