A 16-year-old para-swimming record holder has scooped five medals in a national competition.

Lily MacLeod, from Richmond, took four gold and one silver medal at the National Swimming Championships in Manchester.

She boasts the British record for the 200m freestyle para-swim, and having missed out on the Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016, strives to make the GB team for Tokyo in 2020.

The GCSE student suffers from Rod Achromatopsia, which impairs her vision and causes light sensitivity, colour blindness and wobbling of the eye.

Specsavers in Richmond’s King Street is her sponsor.

Her mother Judith MacLeod said: “Lily’s medal winning streak has always amazed us. We hope that her latest successes are more steps on her way to competing in Tokyo in 2020.

“We’re very grateful to British Swimming and Specsavers for their continued support.

“A lot of people have helped Lily along the way and their backing is absolutely invaluable.”

She began swimming aged five at the Richmond Dales Swimming Club, and was identified by British Para-Swimming in 2012 through the Playground to Podium programme.

Boasting much experience on the international circuit, she won five medals at IDM Berlin in 2016, and competed at the British Swimming International meet in Glasgow, making five finals out of six swims.

Her efforts secured her the Richmondshire Up and Coming Sportsperson accolade.

In 2017, she won a place on the British Para-Swimming Podium Potential programme, for athletes with gold medal winning talent.

The members are supported by a new para-academy squad for a four-year period.

She was one of 18 hopefuls selected for the scheme, with most places filled by English swimmers.

Rio 2016 Paralympic medallists Jessica-Jane Applegate, Rebecca Redfern, Stephanie Slater, Alice Tai and Lewis White were among 16 English swimmers on the programme.

Ross Campbell, director of Specsavers in Richmond, said: “Congratulations to Lily on another spectacular achievement at the British championships.

“When Judith got in touch with us last year, we were only too happy to help make sure she has the vital equipment she needs to train and compete.

“It’s wonderful to see a local girl on the national and international stage.”

The swimmer is training for the International Paralympic Championships in Sheffield in May, and the European Championships in Dublin in August.