Otley power lifter Lee Lawson is aiming high after regaining the Scottish Champion-ship in Livingstone. The 28 year-old, who has Downs Syndrome, hit back after losing his Scottish title last year.

Lee is a shining light for disabled sports people with his sunny personality a beguiling feature.

His step father John Yeadon said: "He's taken to the sport like the proverbial duck to water, he's been a real star.

"If the audience is not giving him enough applause he lets them know - he likes to hear the crowd."

Lee is now busy training hard for the Special Olympic European Games to be held in Edinburgh in June.

He has his sights set even higher than that with the dream of making the World Games to be held in China in 2007.

Lee trains with the Yorkshire and Humberside powerlifting team in the unusual surroundings of Armley Prison.

He is also grateful to the Otley fitness club Club Energy for allowing him use of their facilities.

John said: "Lee trains very very hard and deserves all his success. He is grateful for the use of the Club Energy Gym and he has one to one training at Armley Prison.

"He is looking for funding to help him go to the Special Olympics in Edinburgh and of course he will need funding if he moves on to represent his country in the World Games in China."

Lee takes part in three different power lifting disciplines. He has a best deep knee squat lift of 125 kilos, a best bench press lift of 80 kilos and a best dead weight lift of 150 kilos.

Lee won the British Championship title last November after lifting the English Championship title last June.

He will retain those titles as due to the European Games there will be no domestic championships this year.

In March 2002 Lee scooped the gold medal in a national competition - just two years after taking up the sport.

He swept the field in the 75 kilo weight limit at the open competition in Scotland.

Lifting an average total weight of 325 kilos, Lee beat seven of his personal bests in that competition.

Lee soon made his mark in the sport after starting out back in 1999.

Just 15 months after taking up the sport he scooped the bronze medal at the National Powerlifting Championships for people with learning disabilities.

This was held at the Leeds Hilton Hotel.

Proud step dad John said: "Powerlifting has brought him out of his shell.

"His mum Linda and I are very proud of him, he's done terrifically well and shown such courage.

"Lee has made great strides, both in the sport and as a person. He originally entered the sporting arena in the gymnastics dance routine, which he did at the special Olympics.

"His social worker then got us in touch with the Armley Prison Trust run by Yorkshire and

Humberside Powerlifting and his training there has seen him move up levels."

Lee, who lives in The Crescent, Otley, has entered many championships winning a host of medals.

John said: "He has got such strength of character. He really loves it. He comes onto the stage with a big smile and he really gets the crowd going."

l Lee is pictured with his latest

trophy.