A FORMER England and Yorkshire cricket star went back to school to inspire the next generation to follow their dreams.

Bedale High School ex-pupil Paul Grayson attended the school's last alumni visit of the year to talk about his career to year 9 pupils.

Paul made his first-class debut for Yorkshire in 1990 where he played for five years.

Having been released in 1995, he spoke about the courage he needed to leave the comfort of his home in Yorkshire to move with his young family to Essex, where he was awarded his county cap in his first season in 1996.

Paul spoke about his pride playing in two one-day internationals for England in 2000 and 2001 against South Africa in Nairobi and Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, claiming three wickets.

He scored over 12,000 runs including 16 first class centuries and took exactly 350 wickets in his professional career.

In September 1997, he was a member of the Essex side which won the NatWest Trophy final against Warwickshire at Lord's.

Paul reminded the students that there were times when all his friends were out enjoying themselves but he couldn't, because he was committed to become the best cricketer he could so he had to make huge sacrifices.

His message was, to always try to be the best you can, at whatever you do.

Paul retired at the end of 2005 and in 2007, he became the head coach at Essex.