The former middle-distance runner, who spearheaded London's successful Olympic bid, was greeted by Mayor of St Helens Terry Shields at Parr Stocks Fire Station last Thursday (June 25).

Lord Coe checked out a series of innovative schemes which use sport as a way of improving the health of local youngsters.

He then spoke of his admiration for the local teenage weight management programme, a boxing scheme and the recently introduced streetcage mobile sporting stadium.

Coun Shields, along with the region's five other Mayors, signed a charter pledging his commitment to developing a strong sporting legacy from the Games.

Earlier in the day Lord Coe, the chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, also paid a visit to Knowsley to meet young ambassadors who are set to host pre games training camps to get more local people into sport.

His visit also marked the regional launch of the 'Playground to Podium' initiative, which aims to develop the ability of disabled sportspeople in events such as swimming, boccia, wheelchair basketball and football.