AFTER years of braving daredevil stunts as a Blue Peter presenter, climbing to the top of 185ft Nelson's Column proved a breeze for a 67-year-old former star.

However, now Peter Purves is back on terra firma, he discovered that helping Southampton schoolchildren decide who their local hero is was not quite as easy.

Peter visited St Mark's School, Stafford Road, Shirley, as part of their British Day to inspire pupils who are choosing who they think deserves to be remembered by a national monument.

Although he may not be such a familiar face to today's children's, Peter was a firm TV favourite during his time on Blue Peter from 1967 to 1978.

The TV star also spoke to them about the modern day buildings and landmarks they would like to preserve.

"It is to get children thinking about heritage and heroes in their area. I am sure there are statues people have seen in Southampton and they don't have a clue who they are. We want them to think more about this."

In a nationwide survey commissioned by global insurer Zurich, the Queen topped the polls as the person who most deserved to be immortalised by a national monument. She was followed by Diana, Princess of Wales, Sir Bob Geldoff and Sir Winston Churchill.

Peter climbed to the top of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square with his former co-presenter and friend John Noakes, who famously scaled the monument in the 1970s.

They recreated the stunt to launch the competition. Its winners will be presented with a replica statue of their hero in the style of Nelson's Column to display in their school.

The winning pupils will also receive MP3 players to record current moments for the future.