Nicholas Allen's victory at the championships held in Sheffield was his second gold medal win in four years.

"I think it is quite an acheivement for him," said his proud dad.

The 23-year-old started playing the Italian game, similar to French boules, in 1995.

Since then he has won many competitions including the regional and North West final, and his first gold medal at the 1996 National Cerebral Palsy championships. Nicholas, of Harrison Drive, Goostrey, has limited control of his body and can only use one movement to aim his six balls as near to the jack as possible.

Some competitors have more control over their body but others have less and can use their chin to push the balls.

Now Nicholas' dad hopes his son, who lives at a college in Coventry, will successfully join the English para-olympian squad.

"He was invited to play for them last time but was sick and had to pull out," he said. "Hopefully he'll now get another chance."

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