ADVENTURER and television presenter Ben Fogle has returned to his educational roots to inspire the next generation of explorers.

Twenty-two pupils from Durweston CV EA Primary School, near Blandford, joined Ben on the banks of the River Stour, to hear about his experience of swimming with wild crocodiles in Botswana.

Ben, who successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest earlier this year, also gave a presentation to pupils at nearby Bryanston School, the school he attended up until 1992.

He explained how life at the school helped open his eyes to the wonders of the natural world and encouraged him to rise to new challenges.

Ben told the pupils: "Reading about the first ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hilary in the school library was truly amazing, but I never thought I would one day be following in his footsteps.

"Bryanston helped to set me on course and was very important in helping to define my own sense of purpose and providing me with the mental resilience and confidence to say ‘yes’ to every new challenge that has come my way."