A DISABLED youngster has struck gold in an athletics event and carried off three top awards.

Liam McNiece, of Weston Lane, in Otley, right, won one silver and two gold awards in the 100m, 400m and shot events in the Yorkshire Electricity Disability Sport England Event.

Now Liam, 14, who suffers from cerebral palsy, which effects the use of his arms and legs, is set to represent Yorkshire in the national finals.

Liam said: "Taking part in events like this is a lot of fun and winning three top awards is a real honour. As always, the standards set by my fellow competitors was extremely high."

Liam, who is a pupil at St Mary's Catholic Comprehensive School, puts in training sessions in his PE lessons each week - and is hoping to score another win at the national finals, to be held in Blackpool, in June.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to competing against other athletes from all over the country at the national finals. Hopefully, I will come back with a few more trophies to add to my growing collection at home. I am really proud to have this opportunity and to be able to represent my school."

The brave youngster says he is determined not to let his disabilities get in the way of his sport.

He said: "I want to just carry on as normal and just do what anybody else does who is doing sport. I am just hoping to get as far as I possibly can during my time with St Mary's."

Nick Parr, regional resource officer at the federation of disability sports, said: "We were really pleased with how well received the athletics event was, as almost 200 athletes competed from different schools from across the region. All the participants did really well and winning performances from 93 competitors has secured them a place at the national athletics final, which is outstanding." (T&A pic)

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.