By James Clarke BBC News Online, Kent

Flag-waving pupils gave the double champion a rousing reception

Holmes spoke to pupils at Hugh Christie Technical College in Tonbridge about her career and her Olympic triumphs.

And she put some of them through their paces on the playing fields where she set sports day records in the 1980s.

The day gave the star the chance to be reunited with the PE teacher who set her on the road to fame - Debbie Page.

I think I still hold some of the school records Kelly Holmes

Holmes became one of Great Britain's most successful Olympians ever when she won gold in both the 800m and 1500m in Athens.

Pupils at the Kent school where she studied turned out in their hundreds to welcome back their most famous former pupil.

Children lined the entrance to the school to welcome her, waving flags promoting London's bid to host the games in 2012.

Pupils were shown videos of her two Olympic finals, with their star guest giving them a running commentary throughout.

They were then given the chance to grill her about her feelings when she won, her preparation and training regime, her plans for the future and her days at the school.

She told them: "I think I still hold some of the school records.

Kelly Holmes was reunited with her old PE teacher Debbie Page

"When I was 14 I wanted to go into the army as a physical training instructor and to be an Olympic champion.

"Twenty years later I've done it - never give up on your dreams."

PE Teacher Debbie Page taught the Olympic champion when she was at the school and still teaches there now.

She said: "Kelly's still exactly the same girl, she hasn't changed a bit.

"She's a bit more outgoing but still exactly the same Kelly.

"It's nice for us as a school that she still wants to come back here."

Holmes said she last visited the school to speak in assembly after winning a bronze in the Sydney 2000 Olympics but her profile has been raised significantly in the last two weeks.

On this visit she was told that when the school is rebuilt between 2005 and 2006 the sports hall will be named after her - a fitting tribute for a star who has not forgotten her roots.