LARGER-THAN-LIFE personality and Olympic medallist Kris Akabusi urged local firms to go for gold during a motivational speech to business people.

The former European 400m hurdling champion, who has forged a career as a motivational speaker on the corporate circuit, was invited to talk at a special event at Kendal Leisure Centre, organised by Business Link for Cumbria.

Afterwards, he hosted the Akabusi Athenian Challenge, in which competitors took part in a series of team-based games, such as solving giant jigsaws while blindfolded.

Kris developed the challenge jointly with Windermere-based Corporate Adrenalin, which hopes other Business Link organisations across the country will now pick up on the team-building event.

The game has already proved popular with a number of blue chip companies.

Around 100 delegates, including business people and Young Enterprise students from South Lakeland and Eden, attended the successful event in Kendal.

A similar meeting was also held in Carlisle.