A MENINGITIS victim, who lost both legs and an arm as a baby, has set a new British record - in the swimming pool.

Lyndon Longhorne, 20, from Crook, County Durham, is back home after competing in the British International Paralympic Swimming Championships in Glasgow.

He broke the British record for the 50 metres breaststroke, not once but twice, to win a gold medal, recording a time of 57.94 seconds.

And he went on to win another gold in the 150 metre medley, which comprises the backstroke, breaststroke, and front crawl.

"I can't believe how well I did," said Lyndon, who trains in the pool five days a week and does another three sessions in the gym.

"I set out to do just as well as I could and try to get some personal bests. But I felt good on the day and I broke the British record in the heats - and then did even better in the final," he said.

Lyndon, who is now studying sports management at Northumbria University in Newcastle, was struck by meningitis when he was eight months old, losing both legs, an arm and the fingers from his other hand.

However, he has demonstrated a real commitment to overcome his disabilities and is a former overall winner of The Northern Echo's Local Heroes Award.

He is now waiting to hear if he is to be included in the British Paralympic Team, which will be announced on May 16.