SPORTING hero Laurence Whiteley had a very important appointment yesterday- with the Prince of Wales.

The Paralympian gold medallist from Northallerton was at Buckingham Palace to receive the MBE he was awarded in the New Year’s Honours list.

The 25-year-old won the trunk-arms mixed double scull at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio along with 18-year-old Lauren Rowles, who was also honoured.

Laurence, a member of Tees Rowing Club in Stockton, had only been rowing with partner Lauren for a year when they brought back gold from Rio.

A former pupil of Hurworth House and Polam Hall schools, he began rowing in 2012 at the North-East rowing club after wanting a change from disability swimming.

He had initially taken up swimming to aid his rehabilitation after suffering an aggressive form of bone cancer which caused lasting damage to his leg.