An Olympic gold medal-winning hockey player has given his seal of approval to the pitch at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Imran Sherwani, part of the Great Britain team that one gold at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, visited Lea Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre last week.

Mr Sherwani, who scored two of GB’s goals in the final against Germany, tested out facilities with a team of students from Denstone College in Staffordshire, where he now coaches hockey.

Youngsters from the college played a match against a team from Bart’s Hospital University on the pitch.

Mr Sherwani, who was capped 45 times for Great Britain, said: “We were all very impressed with the water based astro turf surface, which has a much softer surface than many I have played on.

“The youngsters were very excited to play here on such a prestigious, world class pitch – it has really helped to boost their enthusiasm for the game – and we will definitely try to come back again.

“We are hoping that some of the talent we are growing at our college can develop into world class players.”